Sensient Technologies Corporation Reports Earnings for the First Quarter Ended March 31, 2009

Earnings per Share Increase 4.7%

Total Debt Down $11.4 Million in the Quarter and $59.5 million in Last Twelve
Months
MILWAUKEE--(Business Wire)--
Sensient Technologies Corporation (NYSE: SXT) reported that diluted earnings per
share for the three months ended March 31, 2009, reached 45 cents, a record
level for the Company`s first quarter. Diluted earnings per share for the prior
year`s comparable period were 43 cents. Consolidated revenue for the first
quarter of 2009 was $282.8 million compared to $307.4 million in the first
quarter of 2008. On a local currency basis, first quarter revenue was up 1.4% in
comparison to the prior year.

Cash provided by operating activities in the first quarter rose sharply to $17.5
million, compared to $9.7 million in the prior year`s comparable period. Total
debt at March 31, 2009, was $468.5 million, a reduction of $11.4 million since
the beginning of the year and $59.5 million in the last twelve months.

"We have delivered our thirteenth consecutive quarter of increased earnings,
despite a challenging economic environment," said Kenneth P. Manning, Chairman
and CEO of Sensient Technologies Corporation. "Our Flavors & Fragrances business
delivered solid local currency growth this quarter across all major markets."

BUSINESS REVIEW

The Flavors & Fragrances Group reported revenue for the first quarter of 2009 of
$184.5 million compared to first quarter 2008 revenue of $193.2 million. Group
operating profit increased 4.0% to $30.0 million, a record level for the first
quarter. Operating income for the comparable period in 2008 was $28.8 million.
Unfavorable foreign currency comparisons reduced Flavors & Fragrances Group
revenue and operating income by approximately 9% and 8%, respectively. On a
local currency basis, quarterly revenue was up 4.2%, with solid growth in all
major markets. Local currency operating income increased 12.0% as price
increases offset higher raw material and energy costs. Group operating margins
improved 130 basis points in the first quarter to 16.2%.

The Color Group reported first quarter revenue of $87.1 million in comparison to
last year`s first quarter revenue of $102.8 million. Operating income for the
quarter was $13.7 million compared to operating income of $18.5 million in the
first quarter of 2008. Unfavorable foreign currency comparisons reduced revenue
and operating income for the Color Group by approximately 11% in the quarter.
The Color Group`s first quarter revenue and operating income, as stated in local
currencies, were down 4.6% and 14.7%, respectively. Local currency sales of food
and beverage colors were up slightly in the quarter and sales of non-food colors
were down. Operating results for the Group were greatly affected by temporary
events including higher raw material costs and customer destocking, particularly
within non-food product lines. The Company projects that margins will improve
going forward which will result in good annual results for the Color Group.

2009 OUTLOOK

Sensient continues to expect 2009 diluted earnings per share to be within a
range of $1.90 to $1.95.

CONFERENCE CALL

The company will host a conference call to discuss its 2009 first quarter
financial results at 10:00 a.m. CDT on Monday, April 20, 2009. To make a
reservation for the conference call, please contact InterCall Teleconferencing
at (706) 645-6973 and refer to the Sensient Technologies Corporation conference
call.

A replay will be available beginning at 1:00 p.m. CDT on April 20, 2009, through
midnight on April 27, 2009, by calling (706) 645-9291 and referring to
conference identification number 94210367. A transcript of the call will also be
posted on the company`s web site at www.sensient-tech.com after the call
concludes.

This release contains forward-looking statements (as that term is defined in the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that reflect management`s
current assumptions and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry
conditions, company performance and financial results.A variety of factors could
cause the company`s actual results and experience to differ materially from the
anticipated results, including, but not limited to the factors noted in this
press release and in the Management`s Discussion and Analysis in our most
recently filed annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.
The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as to the date
of this release.Sensient Technologies Corporation expressly disclaims any
obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to such
statements to reflect any change in its expectations upon which such statements
are based.

ABOUT SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES

Sensient Technologies Corporation is a leading global manufacturer and marketer
of colors, flavors and fragrances. Sensient employs advanced technologies at
facilities around the world to develop specialty food and beverage systems,
cosmetic and pharmaceutical systems, inkjet and specialty inks and colors, and
other specialty chemicals. The company`s customers include major international
manufacturers representing some of the world`s best-known brands. Sensient is
headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

www.sensient-tech.com

Sensient Technologies Corporation
(In thousands, except percentages and per share amounts)

Consolidated Statements of Earnings Three Months Ended March 31,

2009 2008 % Change

Revenue $ 282,824 $ 307,419 -8.0 %

Cost of products sold 196,294 211,777 -7.3 %
Selling and administrative expenses 48,146 56,009 -14.0 %

Operating income 38,384 39,633 -3.2 %
Interest expense 7,246 8,578

Earnings before income taxes 31,138 31,055 0.3 %
Income taxes 9,531 10,378

Net earnings $ 21,607 $ 20,677 4.5 %

Earnings per common share:
Basic $ 0.45 $ 0.44 2.3 %

Diluted $ 0.45 $ 0.43 4.7 %

Average common shares outstanding:
Basic 48,145 47,299 1.8 %

Diluted 48,351 47,806 1.1 %

Results by Segment Three Months Ended March 31,

2009 2008 % Change

Revenue
Flavors & Fragrances $ 184,548 $ 193,240 -4.5 %
Color 87,090 102,771 -15.3 %
Corporate & Other 18,671 20,954 -10.9 %
Intersegment elimination (7,485 ) (9,546 ) -21.6 %

Consolidated $ 282,824 $ 307,419 -8.0 %

Operating Income
Flavors & Fragrances $ 29,957 $ 28,816 4.0 %
Color 13,731 18,505 -25.8 %
Corporate & Other (5,304 ) (7,688 ) -31.0 %

Consolidated $ 38,384 $ 39,633 -3.2 %

Sensient Technologies Corporation
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets
March 31, 2009 2008

Current assets $ 616,612 $ 649,502
Goodwill and intangibles (net) 439,839 508,466
Property, plant and equipment (net) 389,284 430,138
Other assets 39,261 45,186

Total Assets $ 1,484,996 $ 1,633,292

Current liabilities $ 191,286 $ 239,858
Long-term debt 420,919 459,255
Accrued employee and retiree benefits 38,539 45,573
Other liabilities 26,446 28,131
Shareholders' equity 807,806 860,475

Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $ 1,484,996 $ 1,633,292

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 2008

Net cash provided by operating activities $ 17,536 $ 9,734

Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment (8,836 ) (12,113 )
Proceeds from sale of assets 4 23
Other investing activity (91 ) 1,462

Net cash used in investing activities (8,923 ) (10,628 )

Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from additional borrowings 120,237 9,052
Debt payments (122,234 ) (3,071 )
Dividends paid (9,220 ) (8,587 )
Proceeds from options exercised and other 2,261 5,478

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (8,956 ) 2,872

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 203 308

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (140 ) 2,286
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 8,498 10,522
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 8,358 $ 12,808

Supplemental Information
Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 2008

Depreciation and amortization $ 10,517 $ 11,483

Dividends per share $ 0.19 $ 0.18

Sensient Technologies Corporation
Dick Hobbs
(414) 347-3836

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