SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) January 17, 2000
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VISKASE COMPANIES INC.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 0-5485 95-2677354
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(State or other jurisdiction of (Commission (I.R.S.
incorporation or organization) File No.) Employer
Identification
No.)
6855 West 65th Street, Chicago, Illinois 60638
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including
area code: (708) 496-4200
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Page 1 of 4 Pages
Item 5. - Other Events
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On January 17, 2000, Viskase Companies, Inc. announced that it
intends to sell its plastic barrier and non-barrier shrink film
business. A copy of a press release relating to the announcement
is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.
Item 7. - Financial Statements and Exhibits
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(c) Exhibits
EX-99 Press release dated January 17, 2000.
SIGNATURES
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
VISKASE COMPANIES, INC.
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Registrant
By: /s/ Gordon S. Donovan
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Gordon S. Donovan
Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and
Treasurer
January 25, 2000
Exhibit No. Description of Exhibits Page
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EX-99 Press release dated January 17, 2000. 4
EXHIBIT 99
Nasdaq SmallCap ! VCIC For additional information contact:
G.S. Donovan (708) 496-4200
K.K. Duttlinger (708) 496-4200
S.M. Schuster (630) 575-2342
VISKASE COMPANIES, INC. ANNOUNCES INTENTION
TO SELL PLASTIC SHRINK FILM BUSINESS
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, January 17, 2000 - Viskase Companies, Inc.
(Nasdaq SmallCap: VCIC) announced today that it intends to sell
its plastic barrier and non-barrier shrink film business. The
business being sold includes production facilities in the United
States, Canada, United Kingdom and Brazil. Proceeds from the sale
will be used principally to retire debt. Donaldson, Lufkin and
Jenrette has been retained to manage the sale process and solicit
offers. Discussions with interested parties will begin
immediately, with efforts to close the sale by mid-year.
Viskase will focus its future efforts on its worldwide cellulosic
casings business with primary emphasis on fully commercializing
its NUCEL(R) technology and developing new products having
innovative benefits for its customers. This new technology
represents a significant breakthrough in the efficient production
of the Company's casings products utilized in the production of
meat and poultry products such as hot dogs and sausages.
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