Exhibit 99.1


                              FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

     Balchem Corporation Announces Stock Split and Increase in Cash Dividend

New Hampton,  New York. December 12, 2006. Ba1chem Corporation (Amex: BCP) today
announced  that its  Board of  Directors  has voted to  approve a 3-for-2  stock
split, to be effected in the form of a stock dividend,  and also a cash dividend
of $0.09 per share. For purposes of the cash dividend, the number of outstanding
shares  of Common  Stock to which it will  apply  will give  effect to the stock
dividend.  Both dividends will be payable on January 19, 2007 to stockholders of
record as of December 29, 2006.

Pursuant to the stock dividend,  a stockholder  will receive for each two shares
of Balchem  Common  Stock held of record on December 29,  2006,  one  additional
share of Common Stock.  Stockholders will also receive $0.09 per share of Common
Stock on a post stock split basis.  Stockholders  entitled to fractional  shares
resulting from the stock  dividend will receive cash in lieu of such  fractional
shares  based upon the closing  price of  Balchem's  Common  Stock on the record
date.  The  stock  split to be  effected  by means of the  stock  dividend  will
increase the number of Common Shares outstanding from  approximately  11,767,000
to 17,650,500 shares.

Dino A. Rossi,  President and CEO of Balchem,  stated: "This action by the Board
of Directors  recognizes the company's  quality  financial  performance  and the
Board's  confidence in the management to continue  delivering  positive results.
The cash dividend represents an increase of 50 percent over last year's dividend
and allows us to reward our current  shareholders  while ensuring  access to the
capital  necessary to fund our growth  efforts.  The stock dividend will improve
the  opportunity to add liquidity and appeal for our stock,  providing  enhanced
value to Balchem shareholders."

Brokers should instruct Balchem's transfer agent by January 12, 2007 as to their
requirements  for full shares or cash with respect to stock  registered in their
names as nominees.

Forward Looking Statements:
This  release  contains  forward-looking  statements,  which  reflect  Balchem's
expectation  or  belief   concerning   future  events  that  involve  risks  and
uncertainties.  Balchem can give no assurance that the expectations reflected in
forward  looking  statements  will prove correct and various factors could cause
results to differ  materially from Balchem's  expectations,  including risks and
factors  identified  in Balchem's  annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2005. Forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by
the above cautionary statement. Balchem assumes no duty to update any outlook or
other forward-looking statements as of any future date.

About Balchem:
Balchem Corporation consists of three business segments: ARC Specialty Products,
Encapsulated/Nutritional  Products,  and BCP Ingredients.  Through ARC Specialty
Products,  Balchem provides  specialty-packaged  chemicals for use in healthcare
and other  industries.  The  Encapsulated/Nutritional  Products segment provides
proprietary  microencapsulation  and  agglomeration  solutions  to a variety  of
applications   in  the  food,   pharmaceutical,   human  and  animal   nutrition
marketplaces.  BCP Ingredients  manufactures  and supplies  choline chloride and
derivatives used primarily in the poultry and swine industries.

Contact:     Karin McCaffery, Executive Administration Manager
             Telephone:  845-326-5635
             e-mail:  kmccaffery@balchemcorp.com