GREAT LAKES INCREASES PRICES OF ALL BROMINE AND PHOSPHORUS SPECIALTY CHEMICALS

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA—Great Lakes Chemical Corporation (NYSE:GLK) today announced it will increase prices worldwide by up to 20 percent for all bromine and phosphorus based specialty chemicals within its Polymer Additives division, with the exception of phosphite antioxidants, effective for shipments May 24, 2004, or as contracts allow. These price increases are in addition to all other increases previously announced.

The company stated that the new pricing is necessary due to the unprecedented and rapidly increasing costs of key raw materials and energy products, fast growing end-use demand, and significant availability concerns for certain key feed stocks. Additionally, this pricing action is necessary to raise the profitability levels to a point where investment is viable.

Great Lakes Polymer Additives Division develops and delivers specialty chemical solutions that protect against fire and enhance the performance of plastics in consumer applications such as automotive, electrical, building materials, and furnishings. Its range of fire-resistant fluids and lubricants are widely used in industrial applications and the company’s clear brine fluids are used in oil and gas exploration. Bromine-based fumigants improve crop yields, protect grain and other stored food sources from infestation, and eliminate pests from imported crops.

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