ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Tuesday, December 10, 1996             TAG: 9612100117
SECTION: BUSINESS                 PAGE: B-6  EDITION: METRO 

IN BUSINESS

Monsanto to focus on biotechnology

ST. LOUIS - Monsanto Co.'s said Monday it plans to spin off its slower-growing chemicals business and eliminate as many as 2,500 jobs, or 9 percent of its work force, as it focuses on agricultural products and biotechnology.

The split will transform Monsanto from a traditional chemical company, whose products included nylon fibers and plastics, to a business that focuses on herbicides, food ingredients, drugs and biotechnology products.

Monsanto said it hoped to complete the spin-off by the end of next year but should know its staffing needs by the end of March. It expects to cut 5 percent to 9 percent of its worldwide work force of about 28,000.

- Associated Press

Coal production drops 14 percent

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Domestic coal production fell 14 percent to 18.7 million tons during the week ending Nov. 30 from 21.7 million tons the week before, the U.S. Department of Energy said Monday.

The latest week included the Thanksgiving holiday.

The U.S. coal industry produced 20.6 million tons in the same week last year, according to the department's Energy Information Administration.

Virginia mines produced 498,000 tons during the recent survey week, down from 599,000 in the corresponding week of 1995. So far this year, Virginia mines have produced 32.5 million tons, compared with 31.5 million tons in the same period of 1995.

- Associated Press

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