FMC Increases Soda Ash Production Capacity in Response to Strong Export Demand

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Jan 07, 2011, 04:30 ET

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- FMC Wyoming Corporation announced today that it will restart its Granger production facility by July 1, 2011, in response to strong export demand for soda ash.

FMC temporarily suspended production at the Granger facility in 2009 due to reduced export demand caused by the global economic downturn. Since then, U.S. export markets have recovered much faster than the U.S. domestic market. In fact, FMC expects U.S. export statistics to show record soda ash exports in 2010.

"We expect the global demand for U.S. soda ash to continue to increase for the foreseeable future," said Ed Flynn, FMC Wyoming Corporation president. "The solution mining technology that FMC uses at Granger will allow FMC to cost effectively increase capacity in increments to meet export demand."

Granger has a 1.3-million-ton annual nameplate capacity. FMC will restart Granger production at a rate of 500,000 tons per year by July 1, 2011, to satisfy the current demand level for U.S. soda ash exports. FMC plans to evaluate further production increases at its Granger facility during the year. The restart of the facility is expected to increase employment at FMC's Wyoming production facilities by approximately 80 people.

FMC Wyoming Corporation is a subsidiary of FMC Corporation (NYSE: FMC). 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 4,800 people throughout the world. The company operates its businesses in three segments: Agricultural Products, Specialty Chemicals and Industrial Chemicals.

Safe Harbor Statement under 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 2009 Form 10-K and other SEC filings. Such information contained herein represents FMC 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