RPM Increases Cash Dividend for 36th Consecutive Year

MEDINA, Ohio, Oct. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- RPM International Inc. (NYSE:
RPM) today announced at its annual meeting of stockholders that its board of
directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.205 per share,
payable on October 30, 2009, to stockholders of record as of October 19, 2009.
This payment represents a 2.5% increase over the $0.20 quarterly cash dividend
paid at this time last year.

This action marks RPM's 36th consecutive year of increased cash dividends paid
to its stockholders, which places RPM in an elite category of less than half
of one percent of all 19,000 publicly-traded U.S. companies. Only 56 other
companies, besides RPM, have consecutively paid an increasing annual dividend
for this period of time or longer, according to the 2010 edition of America's
Finest Companies. At a share price of $18.25, RPM's dividend yield would be
4.5%.

"Annually increasing our dividend is a long-standing RPM trademark of which
we're very proud. Given current uncertain economic conditions, we're pleased
that our strong cash flow has allowed us to continue this practice and deliver
stockholders a positive cash return on their investment," stated chairman and
chief executive officer Frank C. Sullivan. "As highlighted in our 2009 annual
report, for the five-year and ten-year periods ended May 31, 2009, RPM's
return to shareholders has outperformed the S&P 500 Index by 38% and 94%,
respectively, including the assumed reinvestment of dividends for both RPM and
the S&P 500 Index. Our annual dividend growth has been a critical element of
our ability to significantly outperform this broad market index and deliver
value to RPM shareholders."

RPM International Inc., a holding company, owns subsidiaries that are world
leaders in specialty coatings and sealants serving both industrial and
consumer markets. RPM's industrial products include roofing systems, sealants,
corrosion control coatings, flooring coatings and specialty chemicals.
Industrial brands include Stonhard, Tremco, illbruck, Carboline, Day-Glo, Euco
and Dryvit. RPM's consumer products are used by professionals and
do-it-yourselfers for home maintenance and improvement, boat repair and
maintenance, and by hobbyists. Consumer brands include Zinsser, Rust-Oleum,
DAP, Varathane and Testors.

For more information, contact P. Kelly Tompkins, executive vice president -
administration and chief financial officer, at 330-273-5090 or
ktompkins@rpminc.com.

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" relating to our
business. These forward-looking statements, or other statements made by us,
are made based on our expectations and beliefs concerning future events
impacting us, and are subject to uncertainties and factors (including those
specified below) which are difficult to predict and, in many instances, are
beyond our control. As a result, our actual results could differ materially
from those expressed in or implied by any such forward-looking statements.
These uncertainties and factors include (a) global markets and general
economic conditions, including uncertainties surrounding the volatility in
financial markets, the availability of capital and the effect of changes in
interest rates, and the viability of banks and other financial institutions;
(b) the prices, supply and capacity of raw materials, including assorted
pigments, resins, solvents and other natural gas- and oil-based materials;
packaging, including plastic containers; and transportation services,
including fuel surcharges; (c) continued growth in demand for our products;
(d) legal, environmental and litigation risks inherent in our construction and
chemicals businesses and risks related to the adequacy of our insurance
coverage for such matters; (e) the effect of changes in interest rates; (f)
the effect of fluctuations in currency exchange rates upon our foreign
operations; (g) the effect of non-currency risks of investing in and
conducting operations in foreign countries, including those relating to
domestic and international political, social, economic and regulatory factors;
(h) risks and uncertainties associated with our ongoing acquisition and
divestiture activities; (i) risks related to the adequacy of our contingent
liability reserves, including for asbestos-related claims and warranty
obligations; and (j) other risks detailed in our filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, including the risk factors set forth in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended May 31, 2009, as the same may be
updated from time to time. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly
update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events,
information or circumstances that arise after the date of this release.

SOURCE RPM International Inc.

P. Kelly Tompkins, executive vice president - administration and chief
financial officer, +1-330-273-5090, ktompkins@rpminc.com