Prior to his appointment at CP Kelco, Mr. Toth served as the Vice President and General Manager for Solutia’s approximately $700 million resins and additives business with additional responsibility for coordination of Solutia’s European operations. In addition, Mr. Toth was a member of Solutia’s Senior Leadership Team and was an executive officer of the corporation.

"We are thrilled that Bob will join CP Kelco as President and CEO," said Alan Washkowitz, a member of CP Kelco’s Board of Directors and general partner of Lehman Brothers Merchant Banking Partners II L.P., CP Kelco’s principal shareholder. "During his tenure with Solutia, Bob has established a strong track record of significantly improving the financial performance of a variety of businesses within the chemicals industry. We believe that Bob’s experience and success streamlining operations and infrastructures, integrating and consolidating businesses and developing successful marketing and product positioning strategies to generate revenue growth make him the ideal leader to continue the process of unlocking the inherent value that exists in the combination of the Hercules food gums and Kelco biogums businesses."

"I am delighted to have the opportunity to join the market leader in this exciting, high-growth segment of the specialty chemicals and food additives industry," said Toth. "Over the past nine months, Harry Tucci and the CP Kelco senior management team have established a solid platform for the integration and growth of these two businesses. I am confident that, going forward, the company will be able to strengthen its commitment to delivering value to its customers through superior product quality and customer service."

Despite his retirement, Mr. Tucci has agreed to continue to remain involved with CP Kelco as an advisor. "We are pleased that Harry, with his extensive business expertise, will remain available to advise the company going forward, and we are grateful for the leadership Harry provided in guiding CP Kelco through the formation of the company," said Washkowitz.

CP Kelco ApS was formed in 2000 by the combination of the Copenhagen Pectin/Food Gums Division of Hercules Incorporated and the Kelco Biopolymers business of Monsanto Company. CP Kelco is the global leader in the hydrocolloids (thickeners and stabilizers) market, with leading positions in xanthan gum and pectin and a strong position in carrageenan. The Company has more than 2,000 customers in over 100 countries, with headquarters in Delaware, and facilities in North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America. CP Kelco’s principal shareholders are Lehman Brothers Merchant Banking Partners II L.P. and Hercules Incorporated (NYSE: HPC).