WILMINGTON, DE, May 20, 2004 - - Effective immediately, the Pulp and Paper Division of Hercules Incorporated will become the exclusive toll manufacturer of dispersed rosin size for MeadWestvaco Corporation.  This agreement is limited to North America and other terms were not disclosed.

Hercules will utilize MeadWestvaco’s rosin to produce StaCat™ and StaSperse™  dispersed rosin size products at their Hattiesburg, MS manufacturing facility. 

MeadWestvaco and Hercules Pulp and Paper Division will continue to independently develop, market, and service their respective portfolios of sizing agents for the pulp and paper industry.

MeadWestvaco Corporation, headquartered in Stamford, Conn., is a leading global producer of packaging, coated and specialty papers, consumer and office products, and specialty chemicals.  Among the principal markets it serves are the automotive, beverage, consumer products, healthcare, media and entertainment, and publishing industries.  The company operates in 29 countries and serves customers in nearly 100 nations.  Its highly recognized consumer and office brands include AT-A-GLANCE®, Cambridge®, Columbian®, Day Runner®, Five Star®, and Mead®.  MeadWestvaco manages strategically located forestlands according to stringent environmental standards and in conformity with the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® program.  For more information, visit www.meadwestvaco.com.

Hercules Pulp and Paper Division is the leading worldwide supplier of functional, process, and water treatment technologies for the pulp and paper industry.

Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, Hercules Incorporated manufactures and markets chemical specialties globally for making a variety of products for home, office, and industrial markets.  For more information, visit the Hercules Web site at www.herc.com.

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