FMC to expand soda ash production using new solution mining technology.

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 20, 1995-- FMC Corp. today announced that its board of directors approved an expansion of the company's soda ash production facility in Green River, Wyo., utilizing a new low-cost technology. The $45 million expansion investment will add 700,000 tons in 1997, raising FMC's total annual soda ash capacity to 3.55 million tons from 2.85 million tons.

According to William G. Walter, manager of FMC's Alkali Chemicals Division, "The expansion will give us the added capacity necessary to meet the anticipated growth from Asian and Latin American markets. This growth and a contract commitment to supply a major new domestic application will absorb much of the expansion capacity".

Walter added that the $45 million cost of the expansion makes it the most capital efficient in the industry and the only expansion that is justifiable at today's low soda ash prices.

The expansion represents the second step in a long-term project designed to ultimately replace costly dry mining with lower-cost solution mining. The first step in the project, which included solution mining and a new surface processing facility, was initiated in March 1994 and will be completed later this year. Implementation of the expansion step is already underway with Raytheon Engineers and Constructors, Inc. and purchase orders have been placed for major processing equipment.

FMC's proprietary technology reduces soda ash manufacturing costs 30-40 percent from conventional soda ash manufacturing, while producing an equivalent high-pyurity product. Similar cost improvements in the manufacture of sodium bicarbonate are expecrted. FMC intends to leverage the technology's operating cost advantqage and lower capital costs by moving forward with the development of the technology to retrofit its existing facilities. Future expansions at the FMC Green River facility will be based on the new technology. In addition, the solution mining techniques enable FMC to recover ore from previously mined-out sections of its existing mine, thereby extending their reserve life.

FMC Corp. is one of the world's leading producers of chemicals and machinery for industry, government and agriculture. The Chicago-based company reported annual sales of $3.8 billion in 1993, with international sales to more than 100 countries accounting for 45 percent of total annual revenues. FMC employs 21,000 people at 99 manufacturing facilities and mines in 21 countries. The company divides its businesses into five major segments: Industrial Chemicals, Performance Chemicals, Precious Metals, Defense Systems, and Machinery and Equipment.

CONTACT: FMC Corp., Philadelphia

Pat Brozowski (Media contact), 312/861-6104

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Thomas E.Kline (Investor Relations), 219/299-6888

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Lisa Azzarello, 312/861-6921