PRESS RELEASE

Detrex Corporation Reports Profit for 2005

Southfield, Michigan – March 15, 2006 - Detrex Corporation (DTRX.PK), a diversified manufacturer of PVC and CPVC pipe, duct and shapes and specialty chemicals including lubricant additives and high purity hydrochloric acid, today announced 2005 full year pre-tax income from continuing operations of $2,004,949, compared to $1,448,366 in 2004.

Revenues for 2005 were $81.9 million, an increase of $7.5 million, or 10%, over 2004. Much of this increase was generated in the fourth quarter of 2005 due to the effects of the hurricanes. Harvel Plastics, Inc. achieved a significant increase in sales by successfully managing the disruptive effects of the hurricanes on raw material availability, rapidly escalating costs and substantial increases in demand. The Elco Corporation achieved growth in sales and earnings for the full year; however, performance declined in the fourth quarter due to significant raw material cost increases and reduced demand for certain of its products.

The 2005 net income, including discontinued operations, was $859,549, or $0.54 per share compared to $637,475, or $.40 per share in the prior year. While the operating margin at the business unit level increased by 35% compared to the prior year, all of this improvement did not flow to net income due to corporate environmental charges made in the fourth quarter of 2005. In late spring 2005, contamination was discovered during required follow-up sampling of the Fields Brook environmental site in Ashtabula, Ohio which was remediated three years ago. Due to this, and a review of other environmental matters, the company took a charge of $1,765,000 to income in the fourth quarter. Of this charge, $820,000 will be incurred as a result of a formal settlement of the company’s involvement in the Ashtabula River dredging project. Additionally, after-tax charges of $162,000 were made to discontinued operations for future workers’ compensation expense and holding costs.

Strong operational performance is continuing into the first quarter of 2006. Harvel’s sales and earnings have remained robust while Elco’s performance is consistent with fourth quarter levels. There can be no guarantee that this performance will extend to future quarters, since a number of uncertainties exist about raw material prices and demand.

Commenting on the Company’s results for 2005, President and CEO Tom Mark said, “We are pleased by the continued improvement in operational performance as we achieved increased profitability in spite of a substantial charge to income for environmental matters. During the year, we were able to invest in capital and development of the operations of Harvel and Elco while still funding the remediation of several properties and making a large contribution to the pension fund. The challenge for the coming year is to continue the positive trend in operating performance while supporting a high level of funding for discharging legacy liabilities.”

Statements included in this press release that are not historical in nature are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “1995 Act”). The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “guidance,” “target” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. The Company cautions readers that forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Certain risks and uncertainties are identified from time to time in the Company’s reports. Some factors that could cause results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements include: market conditions, environmental remediation costs, pension expense and funding requirements, liquidation value of assets, and marketability of real estate and the market value and future liquidity of Detrex stock. The Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the 1995 Act.