PRESS RELEASE

Detrex Corporation Reports Profit for the First Quarter of 2006

Southfield, Michigan – April 25, 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 net income for the first quarter 2006 of $1,048,776, or $0.66 per share, compared to net income of $462,429, or $0.29 per share, in the same period last year. First quarter 2006 net income includes $134,862 in after tax earnings from a discontinued operations property sale.

First quarter 2006 revenues were $23,513,633, an increase of 10.0% compared to 2005 first quarter revenues of $21,373,524. This sales growth was driven by higher selling prices and volume at Harvel Plastics, Inc. The higher selling prices are the result of a combination of strong demand and increased PVC resin costs; the improved market conditions have also contributed to higher margins and earnings. Sales and earnings were lower for The Elco Corporation compared to the prior year due to reduced sales of products for certain specialty applications which had been strong in the first quarter of last year. In addition, raw material costs were up sharply and not all of the increases could be recovered in the marketplace.

The momentum generated in the fourth quarter of 2005 carried into the first quarter of 2006 and is continuing early in the second quarter. Harvel’s sales and earnings have remained robust while Elco’s performance is consistent with fourth quarter levels. There can be no assurance 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, President and CEO Tom Mark said, “We are pleased with the strong operating performance in the first quarter particularly at a time when we are funding a large part of the discharge of legacy liabilities for pension and environmental matters. In addition, we are funding high levels of capital expenditures
for enhancing our business prospects. We recently completed the installation of a large diameter extrusion line for Harvel’s California facility. This line is now operational and is providing our customers in the western part of the country with product. Our challenge for the remainder of the year is to continue the high level of operating performance while reducing our 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.