ICL Signs Contract to Supply China with 500,000 Tons of Potash Over Half a Year

TEL AVIV, Israel, February 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ICL (TASE: ICL), a multinational fertilizer and specialty chemicals company, today announced that its ICL Fertilizers segment will supply its Chinese customers with 500,000 tons of potash in the first half of 2011, within the framework of its existing supply agreements with its Chinese customers.

The price per ton is similar to recent prices concluded by other potash overseas suppliers to the Chinese market. This price is approximately $50 a ton higher than 2010 prices.

The new agreements signed by ICL Fertilizers strengthen its growing relationship with its Chinese customers. They also testify to ICL's logistical advantage as a potash exporter to Southeast Asian markets. ICL Fertilizers mines potash in the U.K. and Spain, but its primary source of potash is from the Dead Sea which is in closer proximity to Asian markets than most potash producers. ICL continues to strengthen and solidify its market position as an important provider of fertilizers to the large Chinese market, which is similar to its role in providing fertilizers to the Indian market.

Commenting on the news, Mr. Dani Chen, President & CEO of ICL Fertilizers, said "Our new potash supply agreements with Chinese customers testify to ICL's growing role in this important market, in addition to other markets that we serve worldwide. We are proud to play a leading role in increasing agricultural output and food production throughout the world and to contributing to the global effort to increase food supplies and reduce hunger."

About ICL

ICL is one of the world's leading fertilizer and specialty chemicals companies. For a world challenged by population growth and scarce resources, ICL makes products that increase global food and water supplies and improve industrial materials and processes.

ICL produces approximately a third of the world's bromine and is the 6th largest potash producer in the world. ICL is a leading supplier of fertilizers in Europe and a major player in specialty fertilizer market segments. One of the world's most integrated manufacturers and suppliers of phosphate products, ICL has become the world's leading provider of pure phosphoric acid and a major specialty phosphate player.

ICL is comprised of three core segments: ICL Fertilizers, ICL Industrial Products and ICL Performance Products. Its major production activities are located in Israel, Europe, the US, South America and China, and are supported by major global marketing and logistics networks. ICL benefits from exclusive concessions to extract minerals from Israel's Dead Sea, a vast source of high-quality and low-cost potash, bromine, magnesium chloride and sodium chloride. ICL also mines phosphate rock from Israel's Negev Desert and potash and salt from its mines in Spain and the UK.

ICL's shares are traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE:ICL).

Forward Looking Statement

This press release contains forward-looking assessments and judgments regarding macro-economic conditions and the Group's markets, and there is no certainty as to whether, when and/or at what rate these projections will materialize. Management's projections are likely to change in light of market fluctuations, especially in ICL's manufacturing locations and target markets. In addition, ICL is likely to be affected by changes in the demand and price environment for its products as well as the cost of shipping and energy, whether caused by actions of governments, manufacturers or consumers. ICL can also be affected by changes in the capital markets, including fluctuations in currency exchange rates, credit availability, interest rates, etc.

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    Amiram Fleisher
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SOURCE ICL - Israel Chemicals Ltd