PHILADELPHIA, May 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- FMC Corporation (NYSE: FMC) announced today the company has entered into an agreement to acquire the hydrocolloids ingredients business of International Specialty Products (ISP). The move will extend FMC's leadership in hydrocolloids and enhance service to global customers in food, pharmaceutical and specialty industries. ISP's hydrocolloid ingredients business had revenues of approximately $80 million in 2007.

Under the agreement, FMC will acquire ISP's alginates and food blends business (other than ISP's Germinal blending business based in Brazil), including ISP's Girvan, Scotland, manufacturing facility and employees associated with the business. The companies expect to close the transaction following satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Alginates are extracted from seaweed and are one of the most versatile biopolymers used in a wide range of food, pharmaceutical and specialty applications. Food blends are comprised of specialty hydrocolloids that provide unique functionality in a variety of food uses. The newly acquired business will be integrated into FMC Specialty Chemicals Group's BioPolymer Division.

"The integrated business will enable FMC to offer customers a broader range of alginates and functional system blends and improve our geographic coverage in key markets." said Ted Butz, vice president and general manager, FMC Specialty Chemicals Group. "This move will further strengthen our global cost competitiveness by increasing our capabilities to source raw materials, drive production efficiencies and deliver improved supply chain economics."

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 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 2007 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.