Exhibit 32.1

                         AMCOL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

                   Certification of Periodic Financial Report
                       Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

      Pursuant to 18 U.S.C.  Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the undersigned  officer of AMCOL  International
Corporation (the "Company")  certifies that the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of
the  Company  for the  quarter  ended  June 30,  2003  fully  complies  with the
requirements  of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934
and  information  contained in that Form 10-Q fairly  presents,  in all material
respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Dated: August 12, 2003                       /s/ Lawrence E. Washow
                                             --------------------------
                                             Lawrence E. Washow
                                             Chief Executive Officer

      A signed  original of this written  statement  required by Section 906 has
been provided to AMCOL  International  Corporation and will be retained by AMCOL
International   Corporation   and  furnished  to  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission or it's staff upon request.