HUNT VALLEY, Md., March 30, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Lyondell Chemical Company (NYSE: LYO) is increasing its prices for all rutile and anatase Tiona(R) titanium dioxide (TiO2) products sold to all end-use markets worldwide, effective on April 1, 2005 or as contracts allow. Customers have been previously informed. Prices will increase as follows:

*  In Asia, prices will increase by US $150 per metric ton (pmt)
     *  In Australia, prices will increase by A $100 pmt
     *  In Canada, prices will increase by C $0.09 per pound
     *  In Central and South America, prices will increase by US $150 pmt
     *  In Europe, prices will increase by euro 100 pmt
     *  In the Middle East and Africa, prices will increase by US $150 pmt
     *  In the United States, prices will increase by US $0.07 per pound

Strong TiO2 demand worldwide has us continuing our 30-day order lead time requirements for all Tiona products in all regions in order to help us meet demand for the 2005 peak season.

Lyondell Chemical Company, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is North America's third-largest independent, publicly traded chemical company. Lyondell is a major global manufacturer of basic chemicals and derivatives including ethylene, propylene, titanium dioxide, styrene, polyethylene, propylene oxide and acetyls. It also is a significant producer of gasoline blending components. The company has a 58.75 percent interest in LYONDELL- CITGO Refining LP, a refiner of heavy, high-sulfur crude oil. Lyondell is a global company operating on five continents and employs approximately 10,000 people worldwide. Millennium Chemicals is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lyondell.

SOURCE: Lyondell Chemical Company

Amy Drusano, +1-410-229-8062, or amy.drusano@millenniumchem.com , for Lyondell Chemical Company