AgroFresh and Syngenta Finalize Exclusive Agreement for Invinsa™ Crop Stress Protection

Business Wire, March 19, 2008

PHILADELPHIA & GREENSBORO, N.C. -- AgroFresh Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rohm and Haas (NYSE:ROH) and Syngenta AG (SWX:SYNN, NYSE:SYT) today announced the achievement of a key milestone in the development and distribution of Invinsa[TM] technology, a unique product for crop stress protection in field crops. The two companies signed a definitive agreement formalizing the letter of intent signed earlier this year.

"We are very excited to enter into this exclusive relationship with Syngenta to bring Invinsa to the market. This agreement will increase the speed-to-market and the market penetration of Invinsa worldwide," said John Buckley, President, AgroFresh.

"Agriculture is in need of technology like Invinsa to help growers maximize yield and address the challenge of meeting the world's food, feed and fuel needs," said Valdemar Fischer, President, Syngenta Crop Protection, NAFTA.

Regulatory approval for the current formulation of Invinsa is expected this year in the United States and has already been approved in both Argentina and Chile. Once approved the current formulation will be used in research and commercial trials. The goal is to commercialize the technology within two years.

Invinsa, a sprayable formulation of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), will be the first-ever product introduced into field crop markets to specifically protect crop yield during extended periods of high temperature, mild-to-moderate drought and other crop stresses. The increasing occurrence of drought stress in many regions of the world, coupled with the importance of maximizing crop yields to meet the growing demand for food, animal feed and fuel, creates a significant potential market for Invinsa, provisionally estimated to be in excess of $500 million.

AgroFresh and Syngenta will focus on major field crops including corn, soybean, cotton, wheat, sunflower, rice and canola. Invinsa has the potential to create an entirely new market segment, generating significant value for customers and shareholders.

For more information about Invinsa visit www.rohmhaas.com or click Invinsa (http://go.rohmhaas.com/invinsa).

About AgroFresh

Since 1999, AgroFresh Inc. has been a global leader in maintaining the freshness of fruits, vegetables and flowers with a portfolio of products and services based on their proprietary 1-MCP technology. The SmartFresh Quality System and EthylBloc technology help the produce and floral industries to maintain and deliver fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers with just-harvested freshness and quality. AgroFresh collaborates with experts at leading universities and institutions around the globe to provide its industry partners with the best ethylene management systems available worldwide. Visit www.agrofresh.com for more information.

About Rohm and Haas Company

Leading the way since 1909, Rohm and Haas is a global pioneer in the creation and development of innovative technologies and solutions for the specialty materials industry. The company's technologies are found in a wide range of markets including: Building and Construction, Electronics, Food and Retail, Household and Personal Care, Industrial Process, Packaging, Paper, Transportation and Water. Our innovative technologies and solutions help to improve life everyday, around the world. Based in Philadelphia, PA, the company generated annual sales of approximately $8.9 billion in 2007. Visit www.rohmhaas.com for more information.

About Syngenta

Syngenta is a world-leading agribusiness committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology. The company is a leader in crop protection, and ranks third in the high-value commercial seeds market. Sales in 2007 were approximately $9.2 billion. Syngenta employs over 21,000 people in more than 90 countries. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in New York (SYT). Further information is available at www.syngenta.com.

Forward Looking Statement - Rohm and Haas

This release includes forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations. The forward-looking statements contained in this announcement concerning demand for products and services, regulatory approvals, commercialization of products, sales and marketing forecasts involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including the ability to get regulatory approvals, changes in foreign currencies, changes in interest rates, the timely development and acceptance of new products and services, the impact of competitive products and pricing, the impact of new accounting standards, and the impact of tax and other legislation and regulation in the jurisdictions in which the company operates. Further information about these risks can be found in Rohm and Haas Company's SEC 10-K filing of February 21, 2008.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements - Syngenta

This document contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by terminology such as 'expect', 'would', 'will', 'potential', 'plans', 'prospects', 'estimated', 'aiming', 'on track' and similar expressions. Such statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from these statements. We refer you to Syngenta's publicly available filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for information about these and other risks and uncertainties. Syngenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors. This document does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer, to purchase or subscribe for any ordinary shares in Syngenta AG, or Syngenta ADSs, nor shall it form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract therefor.