8-K

                         SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                               Washington, D.C. 20549

                                       FORM 8-K

                                   CURRENT REPORT


                       Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

                            Securities Exchange Act of 1934


      Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) December 9, 2002


                           VISKASE COMPANIES, INC.
           ------------------------------------------------------
           (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



       Delaware                     0-5485             95-2677354
- -------------------------------    --------            ----------
(State or other jurisdiction of   (Commission           (I.R.S.
 incorporation or organization)     File No.)           Employer
                                                     Identification
                                                            No.)


625 Willowbrook Centre Parkway, Willowbrook, Illinois     60527
- -------------------------------------------------------  ---------
(Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (630) 789-4900
                                                    --------------











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                                    Page 1 of 3



Item 5. - Other Events
          ------------

Viskase Companies, Inc. announced breakthrough technology to control listeria
in hot dogs and sausages.

A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.

Item 7. - Financial Statements and Exhibits
          ---------------------------------

 (c)      Exhibits

EX-99     Press release dated December 9, 2002


                                         SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                   VISKASE COMPANIES, INC.
                                   -----------------------
                                   Registrant



                                   By:  /s/ Gordon S. Donovan
                                        ---------------------
                                        Gordon S. Donovan
                                        Vice President, Chief
                                        Financial Officer and
                                        Treasurer


December 9, 2002


Exhibit No.     Description of Exhibits                                  Page
- -----------     --------------------------------------                   ----

EX-99           Press release dated December 9, 2002                       3



                                Page 2 of 3

EX-99

                                             For more information contact:
                                             Jeff Sherry, Viskase Corporation
                                             (630) 789-4900 or
                                             Bill King, Rhodia Food
                                             (925) 939-0861

Viskase and Rhodia Announce Breakthrough Technology to Control Listeria in
Hot Dogs and Sausages

Viskase Corporation (Willowbrook, IL) and Rhodia Food (Cranbury, NJ)
announced today the successful development of NOJAX(r) AL(tm), a cellulose
casing that effectively reduces the risk of Listeria monocytogenes surface
contamination in the production of hot dogs and other cooked sausage
products.  This technology is GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe by the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration) and is fully approved for use.

The innovation involves the application of a natural antimicrobial system
developed by Rhodia to a meat surface via the cellulose casing manufactured
and marketed by Viskase as NOJAX(r) AL(tm).  After cooking and peeling away
the casing, the resultant surface treatment on the hot dog or sausage
demonstrates a definite kill of Listeria within the first few hours of
package life, thus providing an effective safeguard in the event of a post-
processing contamination episode.

Extensive field testing has been conducted and confirmation testing is
currently being conducted by US Department of Agriculture laboratories.
Commercialization of this technology is expected to take place early in 2003
following successful completion of this confirmation testing program.

NOJAX(r) AL(tm), when used in conjunction with the mandated Federal Safety
and Inspection Service (FSIS) directive requiring HACCP (Hazard Analysis and
Critical Control Point) plans and good manufacturing practices, will provide
the processed meat and poultry industry with an additional and important
intervention strategy in its effort to control the risks of foodborne
pathogen contamination of pre-cooked, ready-to-eat products.

This latest breakthrough, a product of a long-term collaborative effort
between Viskase and Rhodia, demonstrates an ongoing commitment by the two
companies to bring innovative solutions and new technologies to the
marketplace for the benefit of the meat and poultry industry worldwide.

Viskase Corporation is a worldwide leader in the supply of cellulose and
plastic casings and operates manufacturing facilities in North America, South
America and Europe.  For over 75 years, Viskase has served the processed meat
and poultry industry as the most reliable source of quality cellulose and
plastic casings and innovative technologies leading to solutions for the meat
processing industry.

Rhodia, one of the world's leading specialty chemicals companies, seeks to
improve the quality of daily life by developing value-added products,
services and solutions in the areas of cosmetics, clothing, food, health, the
environment, and industry.  Rhodia employs 24,800 people worldwide and
recorded sales of $6.5 billion in 2001.  Rhodia (NYSE: RHA) is listed on the
New York and Paris Stock Exchanges.

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