Wilmington, DE, April 12, 2004 - - The Pulp and Paper Division of Hercules Incorporated (NYSE: HPC) will increase prices for all Kymene® wet strength resin sold in North America by 10%.  This increase is effective May 24th, 2004 for all new customers and for existing customers as agreements allow.

According to Marco Cenisio, Global Director Strength and Tissue, Pulp and Paper Division, “We have worked diligently to respond to our customer’s needs for cost improvement through our in-mill technical service, the introduction of high solids technology, and the development of more efficient products.  However, recent significant increases in raw material costs have occurred making a price increase necessary.  These raw material cost increases are expected to continue driven by record price levels for key petrochemicals such as benzene and propylene as well as significant cost increases for chlor-alkalis, energy and other materials.”

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