Hercules Plans to Expand HPC Production.

WILMINGTON, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 5, 1998--Hercules Inc. (NYSE: HPC) Monday announced plans for expansion of its KLUCEL(R) Hydroxypropylcellulose facility at the Aqualon plant in Hopewell, Va.

This investment will increase hydroxypropylcellulose capacity by nearly 20% as well as improve automation and safety.

Since a major portion of the business's sales are made to the regulated industries of food, pharmaceutical, and personal care, an important part of the project will be to enhance current operations to ensure compliance with any future requirements for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards. The project will be completed by mid-year 2000.

According to Monika Riese-Martin, Aqualon's vice president and general manager, "KLUCEL is truly a unique specialty chemical and Aqualon is committed to supporting the business. We are investing to meet the growing demand in the marketplace, as well as to maintain the high manufacturing standards demanded in the regulated markets."

KLUCEL(R) hydroxypropylcellulose is a water-soluble and organo-soluble polymer that is used in the pharmaceutical industry as a tablet binder and sustained release polymer. The new capacity will be marketed primarily to customers in the pharmaceutical industry and in other businesses like food, polyvinyl chloride, paint remover, and personal care.

Hercules manufactures chemical specialty products for a variety of markets worldwide. Its businesses include Aqualon, FiberVisions, Food Gums, Paper Technology, and Resins.

With shareholder value as its guiding focus, the corporation concentrates on value-added, high-performance products where it has a market or technology advantage. For more information, visit the Hercules website at www.herc.com.

NOTE TO EDITORS: In the Internet/email addresses noted in this news release, there is an "at" symbol between ccarey and herc.com and also between rgallant and herc.com. This symbol may not appear properly in some systems.