Wilmington, DE, July 9, 2003 - - Hercules Incorporated (NYSE: HPC) announced today that Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) has recommended that Hercules shareholders vote to elect Hercules' director nominees to the Company's Board of Directors at its Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on July 25, 2003.

ISS, a leading provider of proxy advisory services to institutional investors, mutual funds, and other fiduciaries, included the following comments in its report:

"Hercules has made progress since the 2001 proxy fight.  The company's balance sheet has been significantly deleveraged, there are no liquidity concerns, and the operating results have improved in 2002 and first quarter 2003, mainly helped by the cost savings achieved."

"Given the prevalent difficult conditions and liquidity concerns, ISS believes that the company was justified in selling BetzDearborn water treatment chemicals business, which enabled Hercules to significantly de-leverage its balance sheet."

"ISS believes that dissidents have not met the burden of proof in terms of a coherent transition plan and strategy to warrant control of the board, especially given the company's improved operating performance.  Accordingly, we recommend a vote FOR the management nominees."

Dr. William H. Joyce, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Hercules, stated, "We are very pleased that ISS, a highly respected independent advisor, has come out in support of our director nominees.  We agree with ISS that Hercules shareholders should not turn over control of the Board to Sam Heyman.  We are proud of the great progress the people of Hercules have made in turning the Company around over the past two years.  The ISS recommendation underscores our strong belief that we have the right strategy and management team to continue to deliver improved results and increase shareholder value."

According to ISS, Hercules' corporate governance ranks higher than more than 99% of the companies in the S&P 500 Index.  Based in Rockville, Maryland, ISS serves more than 950 institutional and corporate clients worldwide with its core business - analyzing proxies and issuing informed research and objective vote recommendations for more than 10,000 U.S. and 12,000 non-U.S. shareholder meetings each year.

Hercules urges shareholders to sign, date, and return the GOLD Hercules proxy card voting FOR Hercules' director nominees.  Shareholders with questions or in need of assistance in voting their shares should contact Hercules' proxy solicitor, MacKenzie Partners, Inc., toll free at (800) 322-2885 or collect at (212) 929-5500 or via email at proxy@mackenziepartners.com.

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