Olin Complete Acquisition of Chlor-Alkali Specialist

Olin Corporation and Pioneer Companies, Inc. announced today the completion of the merger of Princeton Merger Corp. with and into Pioneer pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger among Olin, Princeton Merger Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Olin ("Merger Sub"), and Pioneer dated May 20, 2007. Under the terms of the merger agreement, each outstanding share of Pioneer common stock, par value $0.01 per share, other than shares as to which dissenters' rights are properly asserted under Delaware law and shares owned by Pioneer, Olin or Merger Sub, was converted into the right to receive $35.00 in cash, without interest.

Pioneer's shares of common stock will cease to be traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market at the close of the market today. Stockholders who hold shares in street name (other than shares as to which dissenters' rights are properly asserted under Delaware law) will not have to take any action to have their shares converted into cash, since these conversions will be handled by the bank or broker.