Ciba Specialty Chemicals presents Research Award.

BASEL, SWITZERLAND/TARRYTOWN, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 20, 1999--

Ciba Specialty Chemicals today presented its Research and Development Award of CHF 50,000 ($33,000) to a US-based research team within the company. The award was presented in Basel, Switzerland by Professor Jean-Marie Pierre Lehn, Nobel Laureate and Member of the Board of Directors of Ciba Specialty Chemicals. The award ceremony was part of the Company's international R&D conference attended by more than 200 Ciba Specialty Chemicals researchers from around the world.

The award was presented to researchers who have developed an additive system which prevents the yellowing of paper. Paper turns yellow on exposure to light due to the lignin contained in pulp which, when oxidized produces yellow tinged products. There are certain high-quality light resistant papers available, but these are manufactured by removing lignin from paper pulp and this is an expensive and time consuming process. For example, 45-50 percent of the pulp will be lost in the process and a number of bleaching agents must be used to completely remove the lignin. Researchers at Ciba approached the problem from a different angle and have developed a stabilizer system, which when added to lignin containing paper protects it against light and prevents its yellowing.

The team receiving the research award include representatives from both the Additives and Consumer Care divisions: Ray Seltzer, Jean-Pierre Wolf, Glen Cunkle, Tom Thompson and Randy Nelson. The research group is located at Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corp. in North America.

Rolf Meyer, chairman and CEO of Ciba, said at the conference today, "This great innovation should provide economic and environmental benefits to the paper industry and thus support our own continued growth. Research has always been very important to Ciba and the range of very strong research projects that we have seen today attest to our continued focus on research innovation".

The R&D award is made annually and honors, specifically, performance and leadership which includes risk taking and the use of available resources. The award favors those projects focusing on breakthroughs in technology which could lead to a product development base for more than one division, thereby capitalizing on inter-divisional synergies. Teamwork and effective networking are also central features of an awarded project.

Professor Lehn received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1987 and is currently professor of chemistry and Chair of Chemistry of Molecular interactions at College de France in Paris. Professor Lehn also serves as adjunct board Member of the cross-divisional Research Council within Ciba Specialty Chemicals. The Council advises the Executive Committee in matters of research and development and promotes and coordinates the Group's research and development efforts.

Ciba Specialty Chemicals (SWX:CIBN) is a leading company dedicated to producing high-value effects for our customers' products. Our specialty chemicals, added in small quantities, enhance the performance, look and feel of the final product. Business success is driven by our long-term strategy of innovation and continuous operational improvements. Ciba brings new and creative thought to the processes and products of our customers in more than 117 countries. Ciba generated sales of more than CHF 8.4 billion in 1998 and spent 300 million on R&D to foster innovation across the Company.

Ciba Specialty Chemicals web site: http://www.cibasc.com