PRESS RELEASE

Detrex Corporation Reports a Profit for the 1st Quarter of 2004

Southfield, Michigan – April 22, 2004 - Detrex Corporation (OTCBB: DTRX), a diversified manufacturer of PVC and CPVC pipe, duct and shapes and specialty chemicals including lubricant additives and high purity hydrochloric acid, today announced net income of $186,329 for the first quarter of 2004.

First quarter net sales increased to $17.8 million from $15.0 million in the comparable period last year. The Company generated pre-tax income of $342,153 and net income of $186,329, or $0.12 per share, compared to a pre-tax loss of $139,757 and a net loss from continuing operations of $115,591, or $0.07 per share, in the same period last year.

Improved market conditions in the first quarter was the primary driver for the strong sales growth. Most of this volume growth was generated at Harvel with increases in nearly all product categories. Elco sales were essentially unchanged from the prior year, however, domestic demand appeared to improve towards the end of the quarter.

Pre-tax earnings for the first quarter were $481,910 higher than in the same quarter of last year. The primary components of this improvement were volume driven earnings increases at Harvel and stronger earnings at Elco due to sales mix. Also contributing to higher earnings were cost reductions at the corporate office.

Commenting on the Company’s results, President and CEO Tom Mark said, “Improvement in operating performance is a critical issue for the company and we made significant progress in the first quarter. Our attention is focused on maintaining this momentum as the industrial and manufacturing sectors continue to recover. In addition, we plan to invest to grow the value of the businesses while we continue to reduce legacy liabilities. I would like to point out that the company is in the process of refinancing its debt and will incur financing charges in the second and third quarter.”

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.