Murrell Joins Witco as Vice President - Americas - Oleochemicals & Derivatives Group.

GREENWICH, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--January 7, 1999--William H. Murrell has joined Witco Corporation (NYSE:WIT) as vice president - Americas for its Oleochemicals & Derivatives Group. In this new position, Mr. Murrell will be responsible for managing and providing business direction for all aspects of the group's business in the Americas, a region that spans North and Latin America. Witco's Oleochemicals & Derivatives Group provides fatty acids, glycerines, esters, fatty amines, quaternaries, and surfactants based on oleochemicals to a wide array of industries, including personal care, household and industrial cleaners, textile, paper and rubber among others. The group currently operates six manufacturing facilities in the United States and Europe and holds a major market share as a supplier of surfactants for shampoos, lotions, creams and other personal care products and is a leading supplier of ester-based oleochemicals for fabric conditioners and household cleansers.

Oleochemicals & Derivatives Group Vice President Georg F. Urban said, "Mr. Murrell is an outstanding manager who can combine his depth of experience and leadership qualities to assure that the strategic intent of our business plan is translated successfully into operational objectives and activities."

Mr. Murrell has more than twenty years experience in the chemical and energy industries, most recently at AlliedSignal Inc. as general manager of its Industrial Fluorines business and president of AlliedSignal Energy Services, Inc. Previous experience with other AlliedSignal units includes that of general manager of specialty films, director of operations, and plant manager. He holds a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Purdue University in W. Lafayette, Indiana, and completed the two-year Mahler Advanced Management Skills course. Mr. Murrell also holds certification as a Total Quality Trainer. Mr. Murrell will be relocating from New Jersey to Ridgefield, Connecticut.

Witco is a global manufacturer of specialty chemicals providing high value products for a wide range of customers worldwide. Witco is focused on providing superior value for customers and shareholders.