Announced Action for May 16, 2003

Commission approval of interim trustee term extension: The Commission has extended the term of the interim trustee in the matter concerning FMC Corporation/Solutia, Inc. (now Astaris LLC). The interim trustee in this matter was appointed to monitor the divestiture of FMC's P2S5 (phosphorus pentasulfide) Lawrence, KS production facility to Peak Investments. The FTC's order provides that at the option of the Commission, the term of the interim trustee overseeing this divestiture may be extended for up to two years. The Commission extended the interim trustee's term last year and his current term expires on May 15, 2003. The action announced today extends the term until May 15, 2004. The Commission vote approving the extension of the interim trustee's term was 5-0. (FTC Docket No. C-3935, staff contact is Roberta S. Baruch, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2861; see press releases dated April 7 and May 19, 2000.)

Copies of the documents mentioned in this release are available from the FTC's Web site at http://www.ftc.gov and also from the FTC's Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580. Call toll-free: 1-877-FTC-HELP.