<PAGE> 1
July 16, 1996
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street N.W.
Judiciary Plaza
Washington, D.C. 20549
RE: SIPEX Corporation
-----------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
On June 27, 1996, SIPEX Corporation (the "Company") filed a
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-06951) (the "Form S-1") with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Form S-1 related to the
registration, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), of
3,450,000 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value, of the Company.
Pursuant to Rule 477 under the Act, the Company hereby applies for the
withdrawal of the Form S-1. No securities have been issued or sold under the
Form S-1.
The Company has determined not to proceed with the offering and sale of
such shares as a result of the recent drop in share price of its stock. It
requests that the Securities and Exchange Commission consent to this
application on the grounds that withdrawal of the Form S-1 is consistent with
the public interest and the protection of investors, as contemplated by
paragraph (a) of said Rule 477.
Sincerely,
SIPEX Corporation
By: /s/James E. Donegan
-------------------------------------
Name: James E. Donegan
----------------------------------
Title: Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
---------------------------------
and President
-------------