1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1

TUESDAY APRIL 11, 2:55 PM EASTERN TIME

COMPANY PRESS RELEASE

ZEMEX COMPLETES SALE OF ITS METAL POWDERS DIVISION

     TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 11, 2000--Zemex Corporation (TSE:
ZMX.--news; NYSE: ZMX--news) and Hoganas AB announced that the sale of Zemex's
wholly-owned subsidiaries, Pyron Corporation and Pyron Metal Powders, Inc., to
Hoganas has been completed. The sale proceeds, approximately US$41 million, will
be used to pay down Zemex's US$50 million bridge facility.

     Pyron Corporation produces both atomized iron powder, used principally for
component manufacture, and a unique sponge iron powder, utilized mainly in
specialty applications, including the production of friction materials. Pyron
Corporation operates its main facility in Niagara Falls, NY and a blending plant
in St. Marys, PA. Pyron Metal Powders, Inc. supplies primarily copper and bronze
powders from its two plants located in Tennessee.

     Headquartered in Hoganas, Sweden, Hoganas is the world's oldest and largest
supplier of metal powders and is considered the technological leader in the
industry. Hoganas is a public company and its stock trades on the Stockholm
Stock Exchange.

     Zemex is a diversified producer of industrial minerals and specialty
materials and, through its aluminum recycling division, reprocesses aluminum
drosses with patented zero discharge technology. Zemex currently operates
facilities and mines across the United States and Canada. Its products are used
in a variety of commercial applications and are sold throughout North America
and worldwide.

     This press release may contain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward
statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current
expectation of the Corporation and members of its senior management team,
including, without limitation, expectations regarding prospective performance
and opportunities. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking
statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and
uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those
contemplated by the Corporation.

Contact:

     Zemex Corporation:
     Richard L. Lister, 416/365-5667,
     Allen J. Palmiere, 416/365-8091
     or
     Patricia K. Moran, 416/365-8093