FMC to Boost Production of Microcrystalline Cellulose

Production from the final phase of the expansion began in March and increases FMC's global capacity by 25 percent for food and pharmaceutical grade MCC.

4/15/2011 --- FMC Corporation has announced that the company has completed expansion of its microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) plant in Cork, Ireland. Production from the final phase of the expansion began in March and increases FMC's global capacity by 25 percent for food and pharmaceutical grade MCC.

"This expansion will assure FMC's ability to supply high-quality product and service levels to customers as MCC demand continues to grow," said Mike Smith, FMC BioPolymer division manager. "FMC anticipates ongoing growth on a global basis with particularly high growth rates in rapidly developing economies for both food and pharmaceutical markets."

Given the infrastructure and flexibility of the Cork site, the expansion was very cost efficient, said Smith, which is critical given the increase in MCC input costs, particularly specialty pulps. FMC BioPolymer operates another MCC plant located in the United States in Newark, Delaware.