UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON D.C. 20549

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                              HERCULES INCORPORATED
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        HERCULES SPECIAL COMMITTEE APPROVES AMENDMENT TO ELECTION BY-LAW


WILMINGTON, DE, JULY 7, 2003 - Hercules Incorporated (NYSE: HPC) today announced
that the Special Committee of the Company's Board of Directors has approved
amending the Company's by-laws so that directors will be elected by plurality
vote. The amendment to the by-laws will eliminate the prior requirement for
election that directors receive a majority vote of all issued and outstanding
shares of Hercules common stock entitled to vote.

While the Special Committee believes that the original by-law provision is
appropriate under the current circumstances -- where control of the Board and
the Company is at stake (and no control premium or other consideration is being
paid to shareholders) -- following discussions with shareholders, the Special
Committee has decided to adopt a plurality vote standard. The original by-law
provision had been in place for more than 15 years and none of the Company's
current directors were members of the Board when it was adopted.

The amendment to the by-laws will be effective upon ratification of the Special
Committee's action by the Board of Directors, which is expected to occur shortly
and in any event prior to this year's Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

                                      # # #

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.
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Media Contact:      John S. Riley     (302) 594-6025
Investor Contact:   Allen A. Spizzo   (302) 594-6491