FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Basel, March 21, 2007

CONTACT:
Glenn Runciman
Thomson Research Associates
+1 416 955 1881

Urs Hasler
Huntsman Textile Effects
+41 61 636 40 75

SILPURE® ALLIANCE BETWEEN HUNTSMAN TEXTILE EFFECTS
AND THOMSON RESEARCH ASSOCIATES

Silpure is a state-of-the-art antimicrobial that harnesses the powerful qualities of silver for lasting freshness in treated garments.

• Cooperation agreement for TRA’s Silpure antimicrobial technology
• Expansion to new consumer markets and regions

Basel, March 21, 2007: In a joint statement Thomson Research Associates of Toronto, Canada (TRA) and Huntsman Textile Effects of Basel, Switzerland (HTE) today announced that the two companies have agreed to work together in developing and marketing TRA’s Silpure® antibacterial technology.

Silpure® utilizes the natural ability of silver to limit the growth of odor-causing bacteria and represents a new generation antibacterial technology for topical application to textiles.

"There is a growing demand among consumers worldwide for lasting freshness in garments, home, and technical textiles" says Paul G. Hulme, president of Huntsman Materials & Effects. "Since its first commercial introduction 18 months ago Silpure® has been enthusiastically received by the textile industries, and we at Huntsman consider it a natural fit with our strategy of bringing innovative and effective solutions to our clients."

"Silpure® is a new technology, but its success is backed by over 50 years' experience of developing antibacterial treatments for use in a wide range of industries," said Dr. Laval Yau, president of Thomson Research Associates. "We believe that Silpure's huge potential as a ground-breaking new product will be fully realized by this alliance with Huntsman, with its unmatched resources and proven track record in sales to global industries."

Thomson Research Associates, whose headquarters are in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, sells its Ultra-Fresh® brand directly and through distributors worldwide to over 200 companies in more than 40 countries. The brand and its logo promise the highest standards of antimicrobial protection.

Huntsman is a global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated chemicals. Its operating companies manufacture products for a variety of global industries, including chemicals, plastics, automotive, aviation, textiles, footwear, paints and coatings, construction, technology, agriculture, health care, detergent, personal care, furniture, appliances and packaging. Huntsman today has 14,000 employees and 75 operations in 24 countries. The Company had 2006 revenues of $13 billion.

To learn more about Silpure visit www.silpure.com.

To learn more about Huntsman Textile Effects visit www.huntsman.com/textile_effects

Silpure® and Ultra-Fresh® are registered trademarks of Thomson Research Associates Inc.
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Statements in this release that are not historical are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's current beliefs and expectations. The forward-looking statements in this release are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances and involve risks and uncertainties that may affect the company's operations, markets, products, services, prices and other factors as discussed in the Huntsman companies' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Significant risks and uncertainties may relate to, but are not limited to, financial, economic, competitive, environmental, political, legal, regulatory and technological factors. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the company's expectations will be realized. The company assumes no obligation to provide revisions to any forward-looking statements should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by securities and other applicable laws.