AptarGroup reports increased first quarter earnings; declares quarterly cash dividend.

CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 25, 1996--AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE:ATR) today reported net income for the quarter ended March 31, 1996 of $10.7 million, an 11 percent increase over the $9.6 million reported for the first quarter of 1995. Earnings per share increased to $.60 per share from $.54 per share in the prior year. Sales for the quarter increased 13 percent to $153.0 million from $135.6 million in the prior year.

MANAGEMENT COMMENT

Commenting on the first quarter results, Carl A. Siebel, President and Chief Executive Officer, said "AptarGroup's improved performance was aided by increased sales of pumps to the pharmaceutical market and increased sales of closures to the personal care market. These results were achieved despite the continued softness in demand from customers in the high-end fragrance/cosmetics market, decreased orders from lower to mid-class fragrance market customers and lower aerosol valve sales as compared to the prior year."

Acquisitions completed in the fourth quarter of 1995 added $5.1 million to 1996 first quarter sales. The effect of the acquisitions on net income for the quarter was not significant.

Siebel added that fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar favorably affected the translation of foreign sales. "If exchange rates had been constant and the effect of acquisitions were excluded from 1996 results, sales would have increased by 8 percent for the quarter."

"European operations posted gains in sales, however, operating profits for the quarter were lower than the first quarter of 1995. European profits were negatively impacted by the softness in demand for fragrance/cosmetics pumps, increased price competition and the mix of products sold. These factors are expected to continue to affect the Company's European business in the near term.

"European profits in the first quarter were also negatively affected by changes in European currencies in relationship with each other, particularly the Italian Lira. United States operations posted a gain in sales due to increased sales of closures to the personal care market. Operating profits in the United States increased despite lower aerosol valve sales and increased price competition," Siebel continued.

CASH DIVIDEND

Yesterday, AptarGroup's Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $.07 cents per share, payable May 29, 1996 to shareholders of record as of May 8, 1996.

AptarGroup, Inc. is a leading international manufacturer, designer, and marketer of pumps, aerosol valves, and dispensing closures for fragrance/cosmetic, personal care, pharmaceutical, household, and food products. AptarGroup is headquartered in Crystal Lake, Illinois, with manufacturing facilities primarily in the United States and Europe. -0-

                            APTARGROUP, INC.
        Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
                (In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

                    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

                              THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                   MARCH 31,
                        _________________________________
                            1996           1995
                            ____           ____

Net Sales                 $152,954        $135,629
Cost of Sales               98,714          86,616
Selling, General and
 Administrative             25,012          22,807
Depreciation and
Amortization                11,489          10,442
                        _________________________________
Operating Income            17,739          15,764
Other:
 Interest Expense-net       (1,513)         (1,385)
 Other Income-net              933           1,046
                        _________________________________
                              (580)           (339)
                        _________________________________
Income Before Income
 Taxes                      17,159          15,425
Provision for Income
 Taxes                       6,486           5,800
                        _________________________________
Net Income                 $10,673          $9,625
                        _________________________________
                        _________________________________
Net Income per Share of
 Common Stock                 $.60            $.54
                        _________________________________
                        _________________________________
Average Number of Shares    17,930          17,915
                        _________________________________
                        _________________________________

                  CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                            March 31, 1996       December 31, 1995

Cash and Equivalents          $  17,409              $  17,332
Receivables, net                124,160                119,011
Inventories                      74,431                 73,339
Other Current Assets             16,102                 14,188
                              _________               _________
 Total Current Assets           232,102                223,870
Net Property, Plant and
 Equipment                      243,082                245,981
Other Assets                     88,466                 89,365
                              _________              _________
Total Assets                   $563,650               $559,216
                              _________              _________
                              _________              _________

Short-term Obligations         $ 13,448               $ 17,059
Accounts Payable and Accrued
 Liabilities                    107,399                106,147
                              _________              _________
Total Current Liabilities       120,847                123,206
Long-term Obligations            80,878                 80,712
Deferred Liabilities             44,366                 43,012
                              _________              _________
Total Liabilities               246,091                246,930
Stockholders' Equity            317,559                312,286
                              _________              _________
Total Liabilities and
 Stockholders' Equity          $563,650               $559,216
                              _________              _________
                              _________              _________

CONTACT: AptarGroup, Inc., Crystal Lake

Steve Hagge, 815/477-0424

or

Edelman Worldwide, Chicago

Mark McCall, 312/240-2640