Wellman, Inc. Announces Polyester Staple Fiber Price Increase

FORT MILL, S.C.--(Business Wire)--
Wellman, Inc. ((OTC): WMANQ.OB) today announced that, effective
with June 2, 2008 shipments, it will increase the price of all
Fortrel(R) polyester staple fiber products by 4 cents/lb.

Steve Ates, Vice President Sales and Marketing, made the
announcement noting, "The price of crude oil continues to rise to
unprecedented levels, placing upward pricing pressure on our
chemical-based raw material, transportation and energy costs. This
price increase is necessary to offset these escalating costs."

Wellman remains committed to providing the high level of quality
products and support services that our customers have come to expect.

Wellman, Inc. manufactures and markets high-quality polyester
products, including Fortrel(R) brand polyester fibers and
PermaClear(R) brand PET (polyethylene terephthalate) packaging resins.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts
are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor
provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In
addition, words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," and
similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking
statements. These statements are made as of the date of this release
based upon current expectations, and we undertake no obligation to
update this information. These forward-looking statements involve
certain risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to: our
substantial liquidity needs and liquidity pressure; our indebtedness
and its impact on our financial health and operations; risks
associated with our indebtedness containing floating interest rate
provisions and its effect on our financial health if rates rise
significantly; our ability to obtain additional financing in the
future; risks associated with claims not discharged in the Chapter 11
cases and their effect on our results of operations and profitability;
risks associated with the transfers of our equity, or issuances of
equity in connection with our reorganization and our ability to
utilize our federal income tax net operating loss carry-forwards in
the future; our dependence on our management and employees; the
adverse effect of competition on our performance; reduced raw material
margins; availability and cost of raw materials; reduced sales
volumes; increase in costs; volumes of textile imports; prices and
volumes of polyester staple fiber and PET resin imports; the financial
condition of our customers; change in tax risks; environmental risks;
natural disasters; regulatory changes; U.S., European, Asian and
global economic conditions; work stoppages; levels of production
capacity and profitable operations of assets; prices of competing
products; acts of terrorism; and maintaining the operations of our
existing production facilities. Actual results may differ materially
from those expressed herein. Results of operations in any past period
should not be considered indicative of results to be expected in
future periods. Fluctuations in operating results may result in
fluctuations in the price of our common stock. For a more complete
description of the prominent risks and uncertainties inherent in our
business, see our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Wellman, Inc.
Michael Bermish, 803-835-2238
Investor Relations Officer

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