EXHIBIT 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 13, 2002                             Contact: Mark Kahil (713) 654-9506
================================================================================

               STERLING CHEMICALS TO SELL PULP CHEMICALS DIVISION


         HOUSTON, TEXAS, NOVEMBER 13, 2002 --- STERLING CHEMICALS HOLDINGS, INC.
(STXX), Sterling Chemicals, Inc. and certain of their direct and indirect
subsidiaries (collectively, "Sterling") today announced that Sterling has
entered into a definitive agreement to sell its pulp chemicals business to
Superior Propane Inc. for $375 million (U.S.) in cash, subject to certain
adjustments. The sale is to be consummated concurrently with Sterling's
emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The sale is subject to customary closing
conditions as well as approval by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the
Southern District of Texas (the "Bankruptcy Court"). The sale has the support of
Sterling's major creditor groups and Resurgence Asset Management, L.L.C., which
has agreed to provide a $60 million infusion of new equity under Sterling's plan
of reorganization.

         Sterling's President and Co-CEO, David G. Elkins, stated, "The sale of
our pulp chemicals business is a further significant step in our financial
restructuring. We believe the terms of the sale reflect the high quality of the
business, its future prospects and its dedicated workforce. We are delighted
that Superior Propane sees this acquisition as an important element in their
overall growth strategy".

         Sterling's pulp chemicals business is headquartered in Toronto,
Ontario, and comprises six North American manufacturing plants, including
facilities in Grand Prairie, Alberta; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; Thunder Bay,
Ontario; Vancouver, British Columbia; Buchingham, Quebec; and Valdosta, Georgia.
The business produces and markets pulp chemicals and provides large-scale
chlorine dioxide generators to the pulp and paper industry.

         Sterling voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 protection on July 16, 2001.
The Disclosure Statement for Sterling's plan of reorganization was approved by
the Bankruptcy Court on October 11, 2002 and has been mailed to Sterling's
creditors entitled to vote on the plan, along with ballots and voting
instructions. Sterling will emerge from Chapter 11 only if its plan of
reorganization receives the requisite creditor approvals and is confirmed by the
Bankruptcy Court. Based on preliminary voting results, Sterling expects to
receive the requisite creditor approvals. The confirmation hearing is scheduled
for November 20, 2002.

         Copies of Sterling's plan of reorganization and related Disclosure
Statement are posted on Sterling's website at www.sterlingchemicals.com.

                                      # # #

     The information in this news release relating to matters that are not
     historical facts constitutes forward-looking information covered by the
     safe harbor created by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and
     Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The forward-looking
     information is based upon current information and expectations regarding
     Sterling and its subsidiaries. The estimates, forecasts and statements
     contained in or implied by the forward-looking information speak only as of
     the date on which they are made, are not guarantees of future performance
     and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult
     to evaluate and predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results could
     materially differ from what is expressed, implied or forecasted by or in
     the forward-looking information. Important factors that could cause actual
     results to differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecasted
     by or in the forward-looking information include the timing and extent of
     changes in commodity prices and global economic conditions, industry
     production capacity and operating rates, the supply-demand balance for
     Sterling's products, competitive products and pricing pressures, increases
     in raw materials costs, the ability to obtain raw materials and energy
     resources from third parties at reasonable prices and on acceptable terms,
     federal and state regulatory developments, Sterling's high financial
     leverage, the availability of skilled personnel and operating hazards
     attendant to the industry, as well as other risk factors discussed in
     Sterling's filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including
     Sterling's annual Report of Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
     Sterling assumes no obligation to update the information contained in this
     press release.