Platform Specialty Products Corporation Announces Common Stock Purchases by Founders

Platform Specialty Products Corporation (NYSE:PAH) ("Platform") today announces the recent purchase of an aggregate of 500,000 shares of Platform's common stock by its Chairman and one of its founder entities. Today, Martin E. Franklin, the Chairman of Platform, filed a Form 4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission announcing the purchase of an aggregate of 250,000 shares of Platform's common stock in the open market. In addition, on December 16 and 17, Berggruen Acquisition Holdings IV, Ltd. ("BAH"), one of Platform's founder entities, purchased an aggregate of 250,000 shares of Platform's common stock in the open market. Nicolas Berggruen, a director of Platform, is the president and one of three directors of BAH.

About Platform

Platform is a global producer of high-technology specialty chemicals and provider of technical services. The business involves the manufacture of a broad range of specialty chemicals, created by blending raw materials, and the incorporation of these chemicals into multi-step technological processes. These specialty chemicals and processes are sold into multiple industries including agricultural, electronics, graphic arts, metal and plastic plating, and offshore oil production and drilling. More on Platform is available at www.platformspecialtyproducts.com.

CONTACT: Source/Investor Relations Contact:
         
         Frank J. Monteiro
         Chief Financial Officer
         Platform Specialty Products Corporation
         [phone]
         
         Media Contacts:
         
         Liz Cohen
         Weber Shandwick
         [phone]
         
         Kelly Gawlik
         Weber Shandwick
         [phone]