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                                          NEWS

CONTACTS:
Investors:     Mary Ann Dunnell    (203) 552-2261
Media:         Debra Durbin        (203) 573-3005


CROMPTON GRANTED CONDITIONAL AMNESTY IN EPDM INVESTIGATION

MIDDLEBURY, CT, December 12, 2002 - Crompton Corporation
(NYSE:CK) today announced that it is cooperating with competition
authorities in the U.S., Canada and the European Union that have
opened an investigation into possible collusive behavior by
manufacturers of a form of synthetic rubber known as ethylene
propylene diene monomer or EPDM.  During the course of an
internal investigation undertaken by Crompton with respect to
rubber chemicals, the company became aware of such behavior by
manufacturers of EPDM and promptly notified the appropriate
authorities.  As a result, in each of the three jurisdictions,
Crompton Corporation and its relevant affiliates have been
conditionally granted amnesty with regard to criminal prosecution
and fines with respect to EPDM.  Amnesty is conditioned upon
several factors, including the company's continued cooperation
with the authorities. Crompton's thorough internal investigation
continues and the company will continue to cooperate with the
governments' investigations.

Crompton acquired its EPDM business in 1996 when the company
completed a merger with Uniroyal Chemical Corporation.  The EPDM
business had 2001 sales of $152 million.

Crompton Corporation is a $2.7 billion producer and marketer of
specialty chemicals and polymer products providing the solutions,
service and value our customers need to succeed. Additional
information concerning Crompton Corporation is available at
www.cromptoncorp.com.