Exhibit 99.1

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Sensient Technologies Corporation
	777 East Wisconsin Avenue
	Milwaukee, WI 53202-5304
Contact:     Dick Hobbs	Tel 414 271-6755
(414) 347-3836	Fax 414 347-3785
	sensient-tech.com

Sensient Technologies Corporation

Reports Earnings for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2004

Six-month cash flow surpasses $50 million

MILWAUKEE—July 19, 2004 – Sensient Technologies Corporation (NYSE: SXT) reported diluted earnings per share of 39 cents in the second quarter ended June 30, 2004, exceeding company-provided guidance. Diluted earnings per share were 46 cents in the comparable quarter in 2003. Revenue increased to $263.8 million in the second quarter compared to record revenue of $261.9 million in last year’s second quarter. Cash flow from operating activities in the second quarter rose to $28.1 million, up 65.2% from last year’s second quarter, producing the third consecutive quarter of increases.

Diluted earnings per share for the first six months ended June 30, 2004, were 71 cents compared to 89 cents for last year’s first half. Revenue for the past six months was up 4.2% to $518.0 million from $497.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. First half cash flow from operating activities increased to $52.9 million compared to $17.8 million for the first half of 2003.

“We reported strong cash flow again this quarter, and we are strengthening our balance sheet. We expect continued improvement in the second half,” said Kenneth P. Manning, Chairman, President and CEO of Sensient Technologies Corporation.

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Sensient Technologies Corporation	Page 2
Earnings Release—Quarter ended June 30, 2004
July 19, 2004

BUSINESS REVIEW

Flavors & Fragrances Group revenue increased 4.1% to $160.5 million in the second quarter ended June 30, 2004, compared to $154.2 million for last year’s second quarter. Operating income was $22.0 million versus $22.3 million in last year’s comparable quarter. For the past six months, revenue and operating income were $312.1 million and $39.8 million, respectively. Group results benefited from favorable foreign exchange rates as well as increased profit from the sale of traditional flavors in North America and Europe. Higher profit from this sector was offset by increased costs and continued price competition in the dehydrated flavors product line.

Color Group revenue was $95.5 million in the second quarter of 2004 compared to $101.5 million in the year ago period. Operating income totaled $17.7 million versus $21.6 million in last year’s second quarter. During the six months ended June 30, 2004, revenue and operating income were $189.7 million and $33.4 million, respectively. While operating income was down compared to the Color Group’s record second quarter last year, it has shown continual improvement on a quarter-by-quarter basis since the fourth quarter of 2003.

2004 OUTLOOK

Diluted earnings per share for the third quarter of 2004 are expected to be approximately 46 cents. For the year, Sensient expects diluted earnings per share to equal $1.65.

CONFERENCE CALL

The company will hold its conference call to discuss 2004 second quarter results at 10:00 a.m. CDT on Monday, July 19, 2004. To make a reservation for the conference call, contact InterCall Teleconferencing at (706) 645-6973 and refer to the Sensient Technologies Corporation conference call.

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Sensient Technologies Corporation	Page 3
Earnings Release—Quarter ended June 30, 2004
July 19, 2004

A replay will be available beginning at 1:00 p.m. CDT on July 19, 2004, through midnight on July 26, 2004, by calling (706) 645-9291 and referring to pass code 8530210. A transcript of the call will also be posted on the Company’s web site at www.sensient-tech.com after the call concludes.

This release contains forward-looking statements (as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that reflect management’s current assumptions and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results. A variety of factors could cause the company’s actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results, including, but not limited to the factors noted in this press release and in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Operations & Financial Condition in our most recently filed annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, and quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as to the date of this release. Sensient Technologies Corporation expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to such statements to reflect any change in its expectations upon which such statements are based.

ABOUT SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES

Sensient Technologies Corporation is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of colors, flavors and fragrances. Sensient employs advanced technologies at facilities around the world to develop specialty food and beverage systems, cosmetic and pharmaceutical systems, inkjet and specialty inks, display imaging chemicals and other specialty chemicals. The Company’s customers include major international manufacturers representing some of the world’s best-known brands. Sensient is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

www.sensient-tech.com

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Sensient Technologies Corporation	Page 4
(In thousands, except percentages and per share amounts)

Consolidated Statements of Earnings

	Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
	2004			2003			% Change		2004			2003			% Change
Revenue	$	263,838		$	261,928		0.7		$	518,003		$	497,025		4.2
Cost of products sold		183,200			177,385		3.3			362,693			335,500		8.1
Selling and administrative expenses		46,614			45,850		1.7			92,703			87,898		5.5
Operating income		34,024			38,693		(12.1	)		62,607			73,627		(15.0	)
Interest expense		7,965			7,572					15,328			14,817
Earnings before income taxes		26,059			31,121		(16.3	)		47,279			58,810		(19.6	)
Income taxes		7,810			9,452					14,070			16,679
Net earnings	$	18,249		$	21,669		(15.8	)	$	33,209		$	42,131		(21.2	)
Earnings per common share:
Basic	$	0.39		$	0.46		(15.2	)	$	0.71		$	0.90		(21.1	)
Diluted	$	0.39		$	0.46		(15.2	)	$	0.71		$	0.89		(20.2	)
Average common shares outstanding:
Basic		46,510			46,824		(0.7	)		46,493			46,939		(1.0	)
Diluted		46,790			47,163		(0.8	)		46,764			47,278		(1.1	)
Results by Segment	Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
Revenue	2004			2003			% Change		2004			2003			% Change
Flavors & Fragrances	$	160,516		$	154,191		4.1		$	312,080		$	293,719		6.3
Color		95,514			101,494		(5.9	)		189,680			191,062		(0.7	)
Corporate & Other		17,191			16,006		7.4			34,050			30,984		9.9
Intersegment elimination		(9,383	)		(9,763	)	(3.9	)		(17,807	)		(18,740	)	(5.0	)
Consolidated	$	263,838		$	261,928		0.7		$	518,003		$	497,025		4.2
Operating Income	2004			2003			% Change		2004			2003			% Change
Flavors & Fragrances	$	21,976		$	22,256		(1.3	)	$	39,788		$	42,284		(5.9	)
Color		17,704			21,631		(18.2	)		33,353			41,827		(20.3	)
Corporate & Other		(5,656	)		(5,194	)	8.9			(10,534	)		(10,484	)	0.5
Consolidated	$	34,024		$	38,693		(12.1	)	$	62,607		$	73,627		(15.0	)

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Sensient Technologies Corporation	Page 5
(In thousands, except percentages and per share amounts)

Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets June 30,	2004			2003
Current assets	$	543,361		$	524,677
Intangibles (net)		440,408			411,601
Property, plant and equipment (net)		382,994			363,665
Other assets		70,045			92,513
Total Assets	$	1,436,808		$	1,392,456
Current liabilities	$	265,016		$	252,076
Long-term debt		514,356			530,583
Accrued employee and retiree benefits		31,824			42,616
Other liabilities		33,263			26,515
Shareholders’ equity		592,349			540,666
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$	1,436,808		$	1,392,456
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Six Months Ended June 30,	2004			2003
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	52,899		$	17,843
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment		(20,688	)		(37,281	)
Acquisition of new businesses (net of cash acquired)		—			(4,107	)
Proceeds from sale of assets		1,092			2,498
Decrease in other assets		2,348			21
Net cash used in investing activities		(17,248	)		(38,869	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from additional borrowings		27,457			46,104
Reduction in debt		(48,215	)		(533	)
Purchase of treasury stock		—			(9,668	)
Dividends paid		(14,036	)		(13,847	)
Proceeds from options exercised and other		647			4,055
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(34,147	)		26,111
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(286	)		430
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		1,218			5,515
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		3,250			2,103
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	4,468		$	7,618
Supplemental Information Six Months Ended June 30,	2004			2003
Depreciation and amortization	$	23,922		$	22,203
Dividends per share	$	0.3000		$	0.2900

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