TREDEGAR REPORTS THIRD-QUARTER EARNINGS

RICHMOND, Va., Oct. 20, 2004–Tredegar Corporation (NYSE:TG) reported third-quarter income from continuing operations of $15.3 million (40 cents per share) compared to $6.4 million (17 cents per share) in 2003. Earnings from manufacturing operations were $9.9 million (26 cents per share) versus $9.3 million (24 cents per share) last year. Third-quarter sales were $222.5 million compared to $193.1 million in 2003. A summary of third-quarter and year-to-date results from continuing operations is shown below:

Norman A. Scher, Tredegar’s president and chief executive officer, said: “Third-quarter profits in Film Products were up slightly despite substantially higher resin costs. The continued escalation of resin prices limits our ability to achieve significant profit growth. Nonetheless, we remain optimistic about our opportunities in this business and expect gradual profit improvement during 2005. Results in Aluminum Extrusions also improved over 2003, but were adversely affected by furnace-related repair costs and appreciation of the Canadian dollar. As we enter the seasonally weak winter months, market conditions are more favorable than they were a year ago and we’re hopeful that results in Aluminum will continue to improve.”

MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS
Film Products

Third-quarter net sales in Film Products were $104.6 million, up 13% from $92.2 million in 2003. Operating profit from ongoing operations was $11.0 million, up 2% from $10.8 million last year. Volume for the quarter increased 3% to 70.1 million pounds from 67.8 million pounds in 2003. In addition to higher volume, the increase in sales was due to higher raw material-driven selling prices and growth in sales of higher value-added products.

Net sales, operating profit from ongoing operations and volume in the second quarter of 2004 were $101.5 million, $10.9 million and 71.2 million pounds, respectively. Volume on a pro forma basis (excluding the divested films business in Argentina) was 67.7 million pounds in the third quarter of 2004, 67.9 million pounds in the second quarter of 2004 and 64.7 million pounds in the third quarter of 2003.

Results in Film Products continue to be affected by higher resin prices, which have been increasing steadily since early 2002 and have accelerated in recent months. The company estimates the increase in resin prices caused a negative operating profit impact of $1 million to $2 million in the third quarter of 2004. The company has pass-through or cost-sharing agreements with the majority of its customers. However, under certain agreements, the higher resin costs are not passed through for an average period of 90 days. In the current environment, in which resin prices have been rising for more than two years and are expected to continue rising, this lag puts constant downward pressure on profits and lowers margins.

Film Products remains optimistic about its longer term growth prospects. Sales and profits of new apertured, elastic, and specialty films are growing steadily. In particular, the success of P&G’s new feminine pad topsheet in Europe and Japan is leading to new opportunities in other regions. Tredegar is expanding production capacity for this new topsheet, which P&G will be introducing in North America. The company also is moving its R&D and technical centers from Terre Haute, Ind., and Lake Zurich, Ill., to Richmond, Va. The move co-locates R&D with sales and marketing, and is expected to shorten product development times and reduce annual operating expenses by approximately $2 million.

Film Products continues to invest aggressively in new products, infrastructure and global growth initiatives. Capital expenditures through September 30 totaled $32.9 million and are expected to be approximately $52 million for the year.

Aluminum Extrusions

Third-quarter net sales in Aluminum Extrusions were $112.1 million, up 17% from $96.0 million in 2003 while operating profit from ongoing operations increased 14% to $7.4 million from $6.5 million in 2003. The improvement in sales and profits was primarily due to higher selling prices and volume. Volume was up 2% to 63.8 million pounds from 62.5 million pounds in 2003.

On a sequential basis, net sales and volume were up 3% while operating profit declined $900,000 or 11% compared to second-quarter results.

Operating profit in the third quarter was adversely affected by approximately $1.5 million related primarily to furnace repairs at the Newnan, Ga., plant and appreciation of the Canadian dollar.

Year-to-date net sales were $316.2 million, up 18% from $269.1 million in 2003. Operating profit from ongoing operations for the nine-month period increased to $19.3 million from $12.6 million in 2003. Year-to-date volume increased 6% to 183.8 million pounds, up from 174.1 million pounds in 2003.

THERICS

The third-quarter operating loss from ongoing operations at Therics was $2.2 million compared to a loss of $2.6 million in 2003. Earlier this year, Therics launched its initial line of bone void filler products. Net sales were $135,000 for the quarter and $266,000 year-to-date. The year-to-date operating loss was $7.2 million compared to $9.2 million in 2003.

OTHER ITEMS

Third-quarter results include a net after-tax charge of $2.0 million (5 cents per share) for plant shutdowns, asset impairments and restructurings, including charges of $627,000 related to the relocation of Film Products’ R&D and technical operations to Richmond. Over the next year, the company expects to incur additional after-tax charges of $3.6 million related to the relocation. Last year’s third-quarter results included a net after-tax charge of $2.6 million (7 cents per share) related to plant shutdowns, asset impairments and restructurings.

Third-quarter results also include net after-tax gains from the sale of assets and other items of $8.8 million (23 cents per share), including an after-tax gain of $5.4 million on an insurance settlement associated with environmental costs related to prior years and $4.0 million related to the reversal of income tax contingency accruals upon favorable conclusion of IRS and state examinations through 2000. Last year’s third-quarter results included an after-tax gain from the sale of securities and corporate real estate of $1.4 million (4 cents per share).

Year-to-date net after-tax charges for plant shutdowns, asset impairments and restructurings were $13.0 million (34 cents per share) in 2004 compared with $6.3 million (16 cents per share) in 2003. Year-to-date net after-tax gains from the sale of assets and other items were $13.0 million (34 cents per share) in 2004 compared with $1.4 million (4 cents per share) in 2003.

Year-to-date results for 2003 include a net loss for discontinued operations of $48.6 million ($1.26 per share) which was related primarily to the company’s venture capital activities.

CAPITAL STRUCTURE

Net debt (debt net of cash) was $75.8 million, or less than one times the last twelve months adjusted EBITDA.

QUARTERLY CONFERENCE CALL

Tredegar management will host a conference call on October 21 at 11:00 a.m. EDT to discuss its earnings results. Individuals can access the call by dialing 877-692-2592. Individuals calling from outside the United States should dial 973-582-2700. A replay of the call will be available through October 28 by dialing 877-519-4471 (domestic) or 973-341-3080 (international), conference ID 5215176.

FORWARD-LOOKING AND CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS

The words “believe,” “hope,” “expect,” “are likely,” and similar expressions identify “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including without limitation the following:

Film Products is highly dependent on sales to one customer, which comprised approximately 30% of Tredegar’s net sales in 2003. Film Products' success in this regard depends on its ability to develop products that meet this customer’s requirements as well as market acceptance of this customer’s products and its marketing and production scheduling. Our ability to grow Film Products and attract new customers depends on developing and delivering new products, especially in the personal care market. Personal care products are now being made with a variety of new materials, replacing traditional backsheet and other components. While we have substantial technical resources, there can be no assurance that our new products can be brought to market successfully, or at the same level of profitability and market share of replaced films. A shift in customer preferences away from our technologies, our inability to develop and deliver new profitable products, or delayed acceptance of our new products in domestic and foreign markets, could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Aluminum Extrusions is a cyclical business that is highly dependent on the economic conditions of its end-use markets in the U.S. and Canada, particularly in the construction, distribution and transportation industries. This business is also subject to seasonal slowdowns during the winter months. Aluminum Extrusions is under increasing domestic and foreign competitive pressures, including a growing presence of foreign imports in a number of its markets.

Therics’ prospects and value depend on its ability to develop, manufacture, market, sell and profit from its orthopaedic product line and to achieve specified milestones, all of which will depend on its preclinical, clinical, regulatory, procurement, manufacturing, and sales and marketing capabilities or, where appropriate, its ability to enter into satisfactory arrangements with third parties to provide those functions.

Future performance is also influenced by the costs incurred by Tredegar’s businesses. There is no assurance that cost control efforts will offset cost increases or any additional declines in revenues. Likewise, there is no assurance of our ability to pass through to our customers cost increases in raw materials.

Tredegar does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement made in this press release to reflect any change in management's expectations or any change in conditions, assumptions or circumstances on which such statements are based.

Based in Richmond, Va., Tredegar Corporation is a global manufacturer of plastic films and aluminum extrusions. Tredegar is also developing and marketing bone graft substitutes through its Therics subsidiary.

Click here for financial detail. (Adobe Acrobat Reader required. If you do not have Adobe Reader, please download it for free).