ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill., Aug. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- AMCOL International Corp. (Nasdaq: ACOL) directors today approved a 9 percent increase in the company's quarterly cash dividend to 6 cents per share from 5-1/2 cents per share. The current dividend is payable Sept. 8, 1998, to shareholders of record on Aug. 28, 1998. Approximately 28 million shares are outstanding, according to the company. AMCOL has consistently paid dividends since 1937.

John Hughes, AMCOL president and chief executive officer, said the dividend increase is a reflection for the board's confidence in the company's earnings strength and future growth potential.

AMCOL International is a specialty chemical and mineral company that produces and markets primarily liquid-absorbing products for a wide range of industrial and consumer-related applications.
SOURCE AMCOL International Corp.
Web site: http: //www.amcol.com
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CONTACT: Jodi Warner, Director, Investor Relations of AMCOL International, 847-394-8730