CHICAGO, Jul 7, 2000 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --  Viskase Companies, Inc.
(Nasdaq: VCIC) announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell
its plastic barrier and non-barrier shrink film business to Bemis Company, Inc.,
for a purchase price of $245 million which includes $228 million in cash upon
the consummation of the transaction and $17 million in accounts receivable
excluded from the transaction. The business being sold includes production
facilities in the United States, United Kingdom and Brazil. Proceeds from the
sale will be used principally to retire debt and for general corporate purposes.
The sale is subject to customary conditions, including the receipt of
governmental and third party consents,

The sale excludes any patent litigation proceedings between Viskase and American
National Can Company. This litigation continues to reside in the Court of
Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which should render a decision later this year
or early in 2001.
 
Mr. F. Edward Gustafson, Chairman and CEO of Viskase Companies, Inc., stated
that "while the business we are selling has experienced impressive growth over
the past several years and has significant potential in the future, Viskase will
have a greater opportunity for success by concentrating on its worldwide casings
business. After the sale of our films business, the 'New Viskase' will focus its
efforts on aggressively competing in the worldwide cellulose casings market and
will fully commercialize our NUCEL(R) casings technology. This new technology,
along with a streamlined organization, will place Viskase in a much stronger
position to grow profitably in the future."
 
SOURCE Viskase Companies, Inc.
 
 
 CONTACT:          G.S. Donovan, 708-496-4200, or K.K. Duttlinger, 708-496-4200,
                   both of Viskase Companies, Inc.
                   (VCIC)