Hercules to raise paper chemical prices in North America up to 30%

WILMINGTON, DE, June 05, 2008 (Business Wire) - Effective June 16, 2008, the Paper Technologies and Ventures group of Hercules Incorporated will initiate price increases in North America of up to 30% on all products with particular focus on functional chemistries such as sizing, wet strength, and retention/drainage aids.

Chet Cross, Director and General Manager - Americas, Hercules Paper Technologies and Ventures stated, "The pace and level of price increases for most raw materials, in particular those linked to oil, natural gas and agricultural commodities, have been unprecedented. We have seen many raw materials increase over 100% since last year. Recent high profile announcements by several major chemical commodity producers to immediately increase prices by up to 25% only compound the situation. We also have concerns about the availability for several key raw materials. We continue to leverage our global position in all commodity areas and continue to focus on our cost control and productivity initiatives."

Hercules manufactures and markets chemical specialties globally for making a variety of products for home, office and industrial markets.