Rohm and Haas Company and Chemical Specialties, Inc. (CSI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rockwood Holdings, Inc., have signed an agreement to form a joint venture to serve the wood treatment industry. The new company brings together the wood biocides business of Rohm and Haas and the wood protection chemicals business of CSI to provide a range of wood treatment technologies and services to the global wood treatment industry. The joint venture plans to commence operations in January. The transaction is subject to government review.