FMC Announces Plans to Expand Microcrystalline Cellulose Production

PHILADELPHIA, December 21, 2007 – FMC BioPolymer, an operating unit of FMC Corporation (NYSE: FMC), today announced plans to expand microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) production at the company’s Newark, Delaware plant.  The expansion is expected to be completed by the end of 2008.
 
The expansion will support the growth in demand for FMC’s Avicel® brand, Avicel-plus®, and Gelstar® MCC products for both pharmaceutical and food products markets.  FMC is the global leader for pharmaceutical and food grade MCC and expects solid growth in the coming years for MCC products.  The company operates a second MCC manufacturing plant in Cork, Ireland.

 “This expansion will assure that we can continue to supply our customers with high quality products and service as their demand grows,” said Michael P. Smith, Division Manager, FMC BioPolymer.  “Based on the infrastructure and flexibility of our Newark facility, this expansion will be very cost efficient, which is essential with the current environment of higher manufacturing input costs, particularly pulp and energy.”

  FMC BioPolymer is the market leader in microcrystalline cellulose and carrageenan and is a major supplier of alginate for the food, pharmaceutical and industrial markets. The company’s plants in the United States, Ireland, Norway and the Philippines are ISO certified, reaffirming the company’s commitment to providing an assured supply of the highest quality products and delivering innovative and cost effective solutions.

FMC Corporation, a diversified chemical company, has served global agricultural, industrial and consumer markets for more than a century, by providing innovative solutions, applications and quality products.  The company employs approximately 5,000 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 2006 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.

Media contact, Food: Olga Drebotij – 609.951.3777
Media contact, Pharmaceutical:  Melody Evans – 215.299.6060
Investor relations contact:  Brennen Arndt – 215.299.6266