8-K

                              UNITED STATES
                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           WASHINGTON, DC 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): April 8, 2005

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


Delaware                           0-5485                    95-2677354
(State or other jurisdiction     (Commission               (IRS Employer
of incorporation)                File Number)              Identification No.


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


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

                               Not Applicable
       (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of
the following provisions:

[  ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
(17 CFR 230.425)

[  ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17
CFR 240.14a-12)

[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))








Item 2.05  COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH EXIT OR DISPOSAL ACTIVITIES

On April 8, 2005, the Board of Directors (the "Board") of Viskase Companies,
Inc. (the "Company") approved a plan under which the Company will restructure
its finishing operations by relocating finishing from its facility in
Kentland, Indiana to a facility in Mexico.  The Company notified
employees affected by the restructuring on May 4, 2005.  The Company
expects to complete the restructuring by the end of 2006.

The relocation of the finishing operations is intended to lower costs and
optimize operations.  The total cost of the restructuring, exclusive of
capital expenditures, is expected to be approximately $15,000,000,
substantially all of which will result in future cash expenditures.  The
major types of costs associated with the restructuring and the estimated
total amount of such costs is as follows:

  Implementation and transition                              $7,000,000
  Training, severance and other employment-related costs     $5,000,000
  Moving and shutdown costs                                  $3,000,000

The Company also expects to make capital expenditures of approximately $5
million to $6 million in connection with the restructuring.  The Company
expects to incur a substantial portion of these costs and capital
expenditures beginning in the second quarter of 2005 and expects to continue
to incur them through the end of 2006.  The Company believes that the
restructuring will yield annual operating cost reductions of between $7
million and $8 million when the project is complete.

Statements included within this filing that are not historical in nature,
including the Company's cost reduction plans and the anticipated cost and
timing of such plans, constitute forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking
statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause
the actual results, performance or events to be materially different from any
future results, performance or events expressed or implied by such forward-
looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited
to, general business and economic conditions; competitive pricing pressures
for our products; changes in other costs; opportunities that may be presented
to and pursued by us; determinations by regulatory and governmental
authorities; the effectiveness, timing and cost of the Company's finishing
operations restructuring; and the ability to achieve other cost reductions
and efficiencies.  Additional information regarding these risks,
uncertainties and other matters are set forth in the Company's filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Item 7.01  OTHER EVENTS

On May 4, 2005, Viskase Companies, Inc. announced that its Board of Directors
is evaluating possible strategic alternatives and that the Company has
retained Harris Williams Advisors, Inc. in connection with such evaluation.

Included herein as Exhibit 99.1 is the Company's press release issued May 4,
2005 which announced the retention of Harris Williams Advisors, Inc. and
restructuring of the Company's finishing operations.



Item 9.01  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(c) Exhibits

Exhibit No.     Description
- ----------      -----------

99.1            Press Release dated May 4, 2005.



                               SIGNATURES

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

                              VISKASE COMPANIES, INC.

                              By:
                                   ----------------------------
                                   Gordon S. Donovan
                                   Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Date: May 4, 2005

EX-99

VKSC                                  For additional information contact:
                                      R.L. Weisman (630) 789-4900
                                      G.S. Donovan (630) 789-4900

                     VISKASE COMPANIES, INC. ANNOUNCES RETENTION OF
                              HARRIS WILLIAMS ADVISORS, INC.
                      AND RESTRUCTURING OF ITS FINISHING OPERATIONS

WILLOWBROOK, ILLINOIS, May 4, 2005 - Viskase Companies, Inc. (OTC: VKSC)
today announced that its Board of Directors is evaluating possible strategic
alternatives for the Company.  The strategic alternatives under consideration
include debt and/or equity financings, the sale of the Company, and a rights
offering.  In connection with the Board's evaluation, the Company has
retained Harris Williams Advisors, Inc. as its financial advisor.

Robert L. Weisman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company,
said, "We believe that this is an opportune time for us to explore
alternatives for enhancing stockholder value and to build upon our
accomplishments in our businesses.  As we participate in this process, we
will continue to focus on the long-term success of the Company."

The Company does not expect to comment further publicly with respect to the
consideration of strategic alternatives unless the Company and its Board of
Directors determine it would be appropriate to do so.

In addition, Viskase will relocate finishing operations performed at its
facility in Kentland, Indiana to Mexico.  This restructuring seeks to lower
costs and optimize operations.  The Company also continues to evaluate other
opportunities to reduce its costs and achieve greater production efficiencies.

Viskase Companies, Inc. has its major interests in food packaging.  Principal
products manufactured are cellulosic and nylon casings used in the
preparation and packaging of processed meat products.

Statements included within this news release that are not historical in
nature, including the Company's cost reduction plans and the anticipated cost
and timing of such plans, constitute forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking
statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause
the actual results, performance or events to be materially different from any
future results, performance or events expressed or implied by such forward-
looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited
to, general business and economic conditions; competitive pricing pressures
for our products; changes in other costs; opportunities that may be presented
to and pursued by us; determinations by regulatory and governmental
authorities; the effectiveness, timing and cost of the Company's finishing
operations restructuring; and the ability to achieve other cost reductions
and efficiencies.  Additional information regarding these risks,
uncertainties and other matters are set forth in the Company's filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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