WILMINGTON, DE, October 5, 2006…Hercules Incorporated (NYSE: HPC) celebrated the 75^th Anniversary of the Hercules Research Center and the dedication of its Paper Applications Laboratory, the newest addition to the research campus, on October 4.  Several state and local officials were in attendance, including Governor Ruth Ann Minner and Senator Tom Carper.

In his remarks, Hercules CEO Craig Rogerson recognized the invaluable contribution that research—and the people who led those efforts—made to the success of Hercules over its 94 years of existence and continues to contribute today and in the future.  “For almost a century, Hercules men and women have been developing and improving products through systematic research in chemistry…Today, as we dedicate the Paper Applications building, we renew our commitment to the creative research and development of many more new and useful products.”

Governor Minner, who had met with Company leaders in June, 2005 to discuss their plans for the Research Center,  thanked Hercules for its leadership in research and development and for contributing patents to the State’s technology initiative.

Senator Carper reflected that 75 years ago when the Research Center began was a “tough time for the country as it headed into the Great Depression.”  He congratulated Hercules on its longevity, its world class workforce, and its commitment to investing in research, development and innovation. 

After the ribbon cutting ceremony, guests went on tours of the new paper facility and other buildings on site, followed by a luncheon. In the afternoon, technology presentations were conducted by research leaders from Hercules Aqualon and Paper Technologies businesses. 

The Paper Applications Laboratory is a part of the initial phase of the Research Center revitalization project.  It is a state-of-the-art customer applications facility that houses pilot papermaking and paper testing functions.   

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Hercules manufactures and markets chemical specialties globally for making a variety of products for home, office and industrial markets.  For more information, visit the Hercules website at www.herc.com.