H.I.G. Capital to Acquire U.S. Oleochemical Business from Croda International Plc.

MIAMI -- H.I.G. Capital, L.L.C. ("H.I.G."), a leading global private equity firm focused on mid-market companies, announced today that it is acquiring the U.S. oleochemical business ("Oleo" or the "Company") of Croda International Plc. As part of its restructuring program, Croda is divesting this division which it acquired as part of the acquisition of Uniqema in 2006.

Oleo is a leading North American supplier of oleochemicals which are used in personal care products, industrial lubricants, chemical derivatives, and other household and industrial formulated products. In a complex, multi-staged process, the Company processes naturally occurring fats and oils into a range of oleochemicals.

The Company is headquartered in Chicago, IL and is home to one of the industry's largest and most efficient oleochemical production facilities. The business has been a leader in fatty acid production in North America for over 20 years and is known for its high quality, dependable products and customer service.

H.I.G. is partnering with the current management team to purchase the business and use the current infrastructure as a platform for future growth in the specialty chemical industry. Rick Rosen, a Managing Director of H.I.G., commented, "We are excited to partner with this outstanding team and to support them in the next phase of growth."

About H.I.G. Capital:

H.I.G. Capital L.L.C. ("H.I.G.") is a leading global private equity investment firm with more than $4.5 billion of equity capital under management. Based in Miami, and with offices in Atlanta, Boston, and San Francisco in the U.S., as well as affiliate offices in London, Hamburg and Paris in Europe, H.I.G. specializes in providing capital to small and medium-sized companies with attractive growth potential. H.I.G. invests in management-led buyouts and recapitalizations of profitable and well managed manufacturing or service businesses. H.I.G. also has extensive experience with financial restructurings and operational turnarounds. Since its founding, H.I.G. has completed more than 75 transactions. The firm currently manages a portfolio of more than 50 companies with combined revenues in excess of $7 billion. For more information, please refer to the H.I.G. website at www.higcapital.com.

About Croda International Plc:

Croda International Plc, based in East Yorkshire, U.K., is one of the world's leading manufacturers of specialty chemicals, used in a wide range of industries. For more information, please visit www.croda.com.