6-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 

Washington, D.C. 20549 

Form 6-K

Report of Foreign Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 

For the month of January, 2007

CIBA SPECIALTY CHEMICALS HOLDING INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Klybeckstrasse 141

4002 Basel

Switzerland

(Address of principal executive offices)

     (Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.)

Form 20-F þ  Form 40-F o

     (Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the Registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2 (b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.)

Yes o   No þ

     (If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2 (b))

CIBA SPECIALTY CHEMICALS HOLDING INC.

On January 9, 2007, Ciba Specialty Chemicals Holding Inc., a stock corporation organized under the laws of Switzerland, issued a News Release regarding its appointment of James McCummiskey as its new Head of Water & Paper Treatment Segment. A copy of the News Release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference herein.

EXHIBIT LIST 

Exhibit	Description
99.1	News Release, dated January 9, 2007 of Ciba Specialty Chemicals Holding Inc.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

			Ciba Specialty Chemicals Holding Inc.
			(Registrant)
Date	January 11, 2007	By	/s/ Daniel Petitpierre	/s/ Beat Saxer
			Daniel Petitpierre Head Corporate Law	Beat Saxer Head Taxes Switzerland

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Ciba Specialty Chemicals Inc.	Ciba Spezialitätenchemie AG	Ciba Spécialités Chimiques SA
Switzerland	Schweiz	Suisse

Page 1 of 2

January 9, 2007
Basel, Switzerland

News Release

Ciba Specialty Chemicals appoints new Head

of Water & Paper Treatment Segment

The Board of Directors of Ciba Specialty Chemicals has appointed James McCummiskey (British, 57) as new Head of the Water & Pater Treatment Segment and member of the Executive Committee. He will succeed Mark Garrett in this position as of February 1, 2007.

James McCummiskey is currently Head of Business Line Water Treatment and Managing Director of the major production site in Bradford, UK. McCummiskey, a mechanical engineer by education, has held leadership positions in various business areas at Ciba for more than 30 years. He brings broad experience in the specialty chemicals field, especially in production as well as in marketing and sales.

Mark Garrett (44) has decided to leave Ciba Specialty Chemicals to pursue opportunities outside the Company.  

Armin Meyer, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Ciba Specialty Chemicals, comments: “I’d like to welcome James McCummiskey to our executive leadership team and wish him success in his new position. I thank Mark Garrett, also on behalf of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, for his valuable contribution throughout his 20-year career with Ciba. We wish him all the best for his future.”

***

Ciba Specialty Chemicals (SWX: CIBN, NYSE: CSB) is a leading global company dedicated to producing high-value effects for its customers’ products. We strive to be the partner of choice for our customers, offering them innovative products and one-stop expert service. We create effects that improve the quality of life - adding performance, protection, color and strength to plastics, paper, automobiles, buildings, home and personal care products and much more. Ciba Specialty Chemicals is active in more than 120 countries around the world and is committed to be a leader in its chosen markets. In 2005, the Company’s continued operations generated sales of CHF 6.1 billion and invested over CHF 270 million in R&D.

Virtual news kit:  www.cibasc.com/media

Page 2 of 2

·   Press release

·   CV James McCummiskey

·   Photo (JPG) James McCummiskey

For further information please contact:

Media:	Tel. +41 61 636 4444	Fax +41 61 636 3019
Investor Relations:	Tel. +41 61 636 5081	Fax +41 61 636 5111