Pioneer Announces the Election of David A. Scholes to the Board of Directors

Pioneer Announces the Election of David A. Scholes to the Board
of Directors 


HOUSTON, March 10  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pioneer Companies, Inc. (OTC:PONR)
(BULLETIN BOARD: PONR)  reported that the Board of Directors of the Company has
elected David A. Scholes to serve as a Pioneer director.  Mr. Scholes has
served as Pioneer's Vice President, Manufacturing since March 2001.  Prior to
that he was the Company's Vice President, Manufacturing - U.S., and Vice
President, Manufacturing of the Company's domestic subsidiary since joining
Pioneer in 1997.  Mr. Scholes has been involved in chlor-alkali manufacturing
since 1976.  He has a B.S. degree in chemical engineering from Lafayette
College, and an M.S. degree in chemical engineering from Purdue University.

The Chairman of Pioneer's Board of Directors, David Weinstein, stated, "We are
very pleased to have Dave Scholes join our Board.  Dave has spent nearly thirty
years in the chlor-alkali industry, and is one of Pioneer's most experienced
leaders.  His insight into both day-to-day operations and broad industry trends
will be most valuable as we work to shape the future path of our company."

Mike McGovern, Pioneer's President and Chief Executive Officer, added,
"Pioneer's directors are all very familiar with Dave Scholes, as we have
already been receiving the benefit of his extensive experience in the industry
due to his role as a senior member of Pioneer's management team.  Dave
participated and assisted in the realignment of our management team, led our
successful organizational efficiency project, and will be a critical
participant in the implementation of Pioneer's strategy for the future."

With the addition of Mr. Scholes, Pioneer's Board of Directors now consists of
five directors, including Messrs. Weinstein and McGovern and Marvin E. Lesser
and Charles L. Mears.

Pioneer, based in Houston, manufactures chlorine, caustic soda, bleach,
hydrochloric acid and related products used in a variety of applications,
including water treatment, plastics, pulp and paper, detergents, agricultural
chemicals, pharmaceuticals and medical disinfectants.  Pioneer owns and
operates four chlor-alkali plants and several downstream manufacturing
facilities in the United States and Canada.

Certain statements in this news release are "forward-looking statements" within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act.  Forward- looking
statements relate to matters that are not historical facts.  Such statements
involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the risks and
uncertainties described in Pioneer's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.  Actual outcomes may vary materially from those indicated by the
forward-looking statements. 

DATASOURCE: Pioneer Companies, Inc.



CONTACT:  Gary Pittman of Pioneer Companies, Inc., [phone]



Web site:  http://www.piona.com/ 

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