FMC Corporation Completes Expansion of Microcrystalline Cellulose Plant in Cork, Ireland

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Apr 14, 2011, 04:30 ET

PHILADELPHIA, April 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- FMC Corporation (NYSE: FMC) today announced the company has completed expansion of its microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) plant in Cork, Ireland. Production from the final phase of the expansion began in March and increases FMC's global capacity by 25 percent for food and pharmaceutical grade MCC.

"This expansion will assure FMC's ability to supply high-quality product and service levels to customers as MCC demand continues to grow," said Mike Smith, FMC BioPolymer division manager. "FMC anticipates ongoing growth on a global basis with particularly high growth rates in rapidly developing economies for both food and pharmaceutical markets."

Given the infrastructure and flexibility of the Cork site, the expansion was very cost efficient, said Smith, which is critical given the increase in MCC input costs, particularly specialty pulps. FMC BioPolymer operates another MCC plant located in the United States in Newark, Delaware.

FMC Corporation is a diversified chemical company serving agricultural, industrial and consumer markets globally for more than a century with innovative solutions, applications and quality products. The company employs approximately 4,900 people throughout the world. The company operates its businesses in three segments: Agricultural Products, Specialty Chemicals and Industrial Chemicals.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Act of 1995: Statements in this news release that are forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning specific factors described in FMC Corporation's 2010 Form 10-K and other SEC filings. Such information contained herein represents management's best judgment as of the date hereof based on information currently available. FMC Corporation does not intend to update this information and disclaims any legal obligation to the contrary. Historical information is not necessarily indicative of future performance.

SOURCE FMC Corporation