PARSIPPANY, N.J., Dec. 7, 2004 – The board of directors of GenTek Inc. (NASDAQ: GETI) has declared a one-time special dividend of $7.00 per common share. The dividend is payable on December 27, 2004 to holders of record on December 17, 2004.

"We believe that this dividend provides an excellent means for shareholders to directly benefit from excess cash generated through the sale of our KRONE communications business earlier this year, and from our continued strong cash flow," said Richard R. Russell, GenTek's president and CEO. "At the same time, we preserve a very prudent and flexible capital structure that allows us to continue to invest in our core businesses."

After giving effect to the special dividend totaling approximately $71 million, GenTek expects to end the year with minimal borrowings outstanding under its $125 million revolving credit facility.

Payment of this special dividend in no way impacts GenTek's ongoing efforts with Goldman, Sachs & Co. to explore strategic alternatives, including the possible sale of the company in its entirety.

About GenTek Inc.

GenTek provides specialty inorganic chemical products and services for petroleum refining, treating water and wastewater, and the manufacture of personal-care products. The company also produces valve-train systems and components for automotive engines and wire harnesses for large home appliances and automotive suppliers, as well as other cable products. GenTek operates over 60 manufacturing facilities and technical centers and has more than 6,900 employees.

GenTek's 1,000-plus customers include many of the world's leading manufacturers of cars and trucks, heavy equipment, appliances and office equipment, in addition to global energy companies and makers of personal-care products. Additional information about the company is available at www.gentek-global.com.

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Certain statements, other than statements of historical facts, included herein may constitute forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. Although we believe that our assumptions made in connection with the forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurances that these assumptions and expectations will prove to have been correct. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from these expectations include, among others, the impact of fresh start accounting; the impact of our reorganization under Chapter 11; our ability to fund and execute our business plan; potential adverse developments with respect to our liquidity or results of operations; our outstanding indebtedness and leverage; the impact of the restrictions imposed by our indebtedness; the high degree of competition in certain of our businesses, and the potential for new competitors to enter into those businesses; continued or increased price pressure in our markets; customers and suppliers seeking contractual and credit terms less favorable to us; our ability to maintain customers and suppliers that are important to our operations; our ability to attract and retain new customers; the impact of possible substantial future cash funding requirements for our pension plans, particularly if investment returns on pension assets are lower than assumed; the extent to which we undertake dispositions and new acquisitions or enter into strategic joint ventures or partnerships and their implementation; the impact of any possible failure to achieve targeted cost reductions; increases in the cost of raw materials, including energy and other inputs used to make our products; our ability to attract, retain and compensate key executives and employees; future modifications to existing laws and regulations affecting the environment, health and safety; discovery of unknown contingent liabilities, including environmental contamination at our facilities; suppliers' delays or inability to deliver key raw materials; breakdowns or closures of our or certain of our customers' plants or facilities; inability to obtain sufficient insurance coverage or the terms thereof; domestic and international economic conditions, fluctuations in interest rates and in foreign currency exchange rates; the cyclical nature of certain of our businesses and markets; the potential that actual results may differ from the estimates and assumptions used by management in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements; future technological advances which may affect our existing product lines; and other risks detailed from time to time in our SEC reports. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this press release might not occur.

Media Contact:
Norm Ritter, 207-967-5688
NRitter@gentek-global.com

Investor Contact:
Mark Connor, 973-515-1989
MConnor@gentek-global.com