NEW YORK, Dec. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- AMCOL International Corp. (NYSE: ACO) will focus on positioning itself as "a world-class specialty minerals company," upon completing the sale of its absorbent polymers business during the first quarter of 2000, according to AMCOL Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John Hughes.

The sale of AMCOL's Chemdal absorbent polymers unit to BASF AG, announced Nov. 23, is subject to approval by shareholders and U.S. and European governmental regulatory reviews.

Addressing members of the financial community during a company dinner last night, Hughes said, "AMCOL has been a leader in the specialty minerals business for more than 70 years. We've expanded our market presence in minerals and environmental markets, even as our specialty chemical business in absorbent polymers grew to be our largest business unit. AMCOL will be a smaller company after the sale of the polymers unit, but well-positioned for growth in terms of our resources, capital structure and market prospects."

Hughes continued, "We've been recognized as a leader in developing minerals technology -- especially related to our base clay, bentonite -- since the company was established in 1927. We have a high-quality global base of mineral reserves, diversified processing capabilities throughout the world, and a solid technology platform on which to grow. We expect to innovate within our existing minerals and environmental markets with new and improved products, as well as capitalizing on our investments and opportunities in strengthening Asian economies."

Hughes noted that AMCOL expects to be profitable and to report sales of approximately $300 million in 2000. On matters of capitalization, Hughes said that AMCOL expects to carry approximately $40 to $60 million in debt after the sale of the absorbent polymers unit. AMCOL expects capital expenditures to be at a rate of approximately $25 million in 2000 on the company's minerals, environmental and developing nanocomposites business, compared to a 1999 estimated rate of $22 million.

AMCOL announced the agreement to sell its Chemdal absorbent polymers business on Nov. 23, 1999. AMCOL is selling the business to German chemical company BASF AG in a cash transaction, subject to approval by AMCOL shareholders, as well as certain U.S. and European governmental regulatory reviews. The cash to be paid to AMCOL for the Chemdal absorbent polymers business is approximately $656.5 million, and is subject to certain purchase price adjustments, including those based on the absorbent polymers business' outstanding debt and working capital at closing.

This release contains certain forward-looking statements regarding the AMCOL's expected performance for future periods and actual results for such periods might materially differ. Such forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties, which include, but are not limited to, actual growth in AMCOL's various markets, utilization of AMCOL's plants, currency exchange rates, currency devaluations, delays in development, production and marketing of new products, integration of acquired businesses, and other factors detailed from time to time in AMCOL's annual report and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

AMCOL International, headquartered in Arlington Heights, Ill., is a specialty chemicals and minerals company that produces and markets primarily liquid-absorbing products for a wide range of industrial and consumer-related markets. AMCOL's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ACO. AMCOL's web address is www.amcol.com .
SOURCE AMCOL International, Inc.
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CONTACT: Jodi Warner, Director, Investor Relations of AMCOL International, Inc. 847-394-8730, ext. 6171