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Peter Maul
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AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORP. (NYSE:ACO) NANOCOR SUBSIDIARY AND UNIVERCOL-NIRLAT ANNOUNCE RECEIPT OF GRANT

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, ILL., Mar. 8, 2004— AMCOL International Corp. (NYSE:ACO) Nanocor subsidiary and Univercol-Nirlat, a leading Israeli coatings, paints and sealants manufacturer, announced today they have received a conditional grant from the Israel-U.S Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation (BIRD). The grant provides the parties $800,000 for research and development of innovative water-based coatings and sealants incorporating nanotechnology.

The goal of the joint development effort is to create environmentally-friendly coatings and sealants that rival solvent-based products performance. Univercol-Nirlat will develop end-use products suitable for each market while Nanocor will assist the development effort with patented technology, know-how and nanoclays. End-use products will be manufactured and sold by Nirlat and also be made available to additional coatings producers under license.

“We are excited about partnering with a strong Israeli company who is committed to environmentally safe coatings. We feel confident in the prospects for success and appreciate the financial support of the Foundation,” stated Peter Maul, president of Nanocor.

Amir Sela General Manager of Univercol-Nirlat added “We are happy to cooperate with a leading company in the nanotechnology field and we are sure that together we’ll succeed to develop the next generation of products. We also are thankful of the Bird Foundation for their support.”

Nanocor was formed in August 1995 to capitalize on a patented technology that disperses nanoscale particles of chemically modified clays into plastic resins, improving mechanical, thermal and barrier properties. Nanocor sells its Nanomer® products to the packaging, transportation, industrial and performance coatings markets.

Nanocor's parent company, AMCOL International Corp., produces and markets specialty mineral products used for industrial, environmental and consumer-related applications. The company operates in three industry segments, minerals, environmental and transportation. AMCOL's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "ACO." The company's web site is www.amcol.com.

Univercol was established in 1949, Nirlat in 1982; the companies merged in 2000. Nirlat produces water-based paints and sealants that are environmentally friendly. Univercol produces solvent-based paints, epoxies, polyurethanes, and electrostatic powders. Univercol-Nirlat is the second largest paint manufacturer in Israel, and the leading producer of sealants and fillers.

Univercol-Nirlat has two production sites; one plant in the south and one plant in the center of Israel. The company’s policy is to develop “smart and innovative products”, while continuing to serve their customers needs through technology and service. Univercol-Nirlat is traded on the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange. The company’s web site is www.nirlat.com

The Israel-U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation promotes strategic partnerships between Israeli and American companies in various technological fields. BIRD assists, free of charge, in the identification of strategic partners for development of joint products and technologies.

Over the course of years of activities, BIRD has achieved a proven track record in predicting emerging business areas and breakthroughs. This has earned it a prominent and authoritative position within the Israeli technological community, and enabled it to promote leading technological projects in various business areas.