DEXTER CORP
PREC14A, 2000-04-03
PAINTS, VARNISHES, LACQUERS, ENAMELS & ALLIED PRODS
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              AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                ON APRIL 3, 2000

================================================================================

                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
                Proxy Statement Pursuant To Section 14(a) of the
                        Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Filed by the Registrant [_]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [X]

Check the appropriate box:
       [_] Preliminary Proxy Statement
       [_] Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
             Rule 14a-6 (e) (2))
       [_] Definitive Proxy Statement
       [_] Definitive Additional Materials
       [X] Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12


                               DEXTER CORPORATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)


                      INTERNATIONAL SPECIALTY PRODUCTS INC.
                              ISP INVESTMENTS INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (NAME OF PERSON (S) FILING PROXY STATEMENT, IF OTHER THAN THE REGISTRANT)


PAYMENT OF FILING FEE (CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX):

       [X] No fee required.
       [_] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(I) (1) and
           0-11.

1)       Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

         -----------------------------------------------------------------------


2)       Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

         -----------------------------------------------------------------------


3)       Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
         pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
         filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

         -----------------------------------------------------------------------

4)       Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

         -----------------------------------------------------------------------



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<PAGE>
5)       Total fee paid:

         -----------------------------------------------------------------------


         [_] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:

         -----------------------------------------------------------------------


      [_] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or
the form or schedule and the date of its filing.


1)   Amount previously paid:
2)   Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
3)   Filing Party:
4)   Date Filed:


================================================================================














                                       2
<PAGE>

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                     CONTACT:
Sunday April 2, 2000                      Edward G. Novotny & Associates, Inc.
                                          (212) 490-2065/2977

               INTERNATIONAL SPECIALTY PRODUCTS RELEASES STATEMENT

      WAYNE, NJ - In response to Dexter Corporation's (NYSE - DEX) press release
announcing the postponement of its Annual Meeting, International Specialty
Products Inc. (NYSE - ISP) released the following statement from Samuel J.
Heyman, Chairman of ISP's Board:

      "Dexter's latest announcement, its reference to an ISP
shareholder-oriented proxy proposal made more than two months ago as an excuse
for delay, and its excruciatingly slow due diligence process raise serious
question as to its ability to manage the process.

      Dexter's rhetoric aside, the truth of the matter is that, despite the fact
that ISP's $50 per share offer remains on the table and we have indicated a
willingness to consider paying more, Dexter has refused to negotiate. We trust
that Dexter shareholders will hold Dexter's Board accountable for its promise to
`present a definitive transaction to [its] shareholders well before' June 30."

                                    * * * * *

      International Specialty Products Inc. is a leading multinational
manufacturer of specialty chemicals and mineral products.

      ISP HAS FILED A PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT WITH THE U.S. SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISION RELATING TO ISP'S SOLICITATION OF PROXIES FROM THE
SHAREHOLDERS OF DEXTER CORPORATION FOR USE AT DEXTER'S 2000 ANNUAL MEETING. ISP
STRONGLY ADVISES ALL DEXTER SHAREHOLDERS TO READ THE FINAL, DEFINITIVE PROXY
STATEMENT WHEN IT IS AVAILABLE BECAUSE IT WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION.
WHEN COMPLETED, THE FINAL DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT AND A FORM OF PROXY WILL BE
MAILED TO ALL DEXTER SHAREHOLDERS AND WILL BE AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE ON THE
SEC'S WEB SITE AT HTTP:\\WWW.SEC.GOV. THE PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT IS
CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE ON THE SEC'S WEB SITE. INFORMATION RELATING TO
THE PARTICIPANTS IN ISP'S PROXY SOLICITATION IS CONTAINED IN THE PRELIMINARY
PROXY STATEMENT.

      This press release may contain "forward looking statements" within the
meaning of the federal securities laws with respect to the Company's financial
results and future operations and, as such, concerns matters that are not
historical facts. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such
statements. Important factors that could cause such differences are discussed in
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, that is filed with the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission and are incorporated herein by reference.




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