DuPont and DuPont Canada Say Class Action Allegations Are Without Merit

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, and WILMINGTON, Del.,  April 30, 2003  —  DuPont Canada Inc. and DuPont said today they believe allegations raised in Tietjen vs. DuPont and DuPont Canada Inc. are without merit.

The case, brought by a single stockholder in State Circuit Court in Elkton, Md., says the lawsuit has been filed on behalf of minority shareholders of DuPont Canada. It seeks, among other things, an injunction against the proposed acquisition by DuPont of the shares in DuPont Canada that DuPont does not presently own. DuPont presently owns approximately 76 percent of DuPont Canada's outstanding shares.

"DuPont is offering a full and fair price for the minority interest in DuPont Canada as described in the Offering Circular mailed to shareholders of DuPont Canada on April 17, 2003," said John P. Jessup, DuPont vice president and treasurer. "This claim is without merit and is an example of the opportunistic lawsuits common in the United States in public bids. We will respond with all appropriate actions in due course and are confident that these allegations will be found to be baseless."

"DuPont Canada believes that there is no basis for, or merit to, the lawsuit, and DuPont Canada and its directors will vigorously pursue all available responses to the claim," said Douglas W. Muzyka, president of DuPont Canada.

On April 17, 2003, DCI Acquisition Inc., a Canadian subsidiary of DuPont, mailed the take-over bid circular and other materials containing its offer to purchase for Cdn. $21.00 per share in cash all of the class A common shares, series 1 of DuPont Canada not already held by DCI Acquisition Inc. and its affiliates. The Directors' Circular, prepared by the Board of Directors of DuPont Canada, was also part of the mailing and contained the recommendation by the Board of Directors of DuPont Canada that all public shareholders accept the offer. In making its recommendation, the Board received the unanimous recommendation of a Special Committee of the Board (comprised of the independent directors of DuPont Canada) which had reviewed the Offer and received advice from TD Securities, its independent financial advisor. The offer expires at 11:59 p.m. (Toronto time) on May 23, 2003, unless the offer is extended or withdrawn by the offeror.

DuPont Canada Inc. is a diversified science company that serves customers across Canada and in more than 40 other countries. Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, the company serves global markets through offices and/or operations in Canada, the United States, Mexico, France, the United Kingdom and India. The company has 4,000 employees. For more information about DuPont Canada, please visit the company's website at http://www.ca.dupont.com.

DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by solving problems and creating solutions that make people's lives better, safer and easier. Operating in more than 70 countries, the company offers a wide range of products and services to markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.

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4/30/03