[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC.    3102 West End Avenue, Suite 1100, Nashville, TN 37203

                                        N E W S    R E L E A S E

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                      CONTACT:  Nancy Falls
                                                           Treasurer
                                                           615-760-7720

                 UCAR ANNOUNCES RESOLUTION OF LAST MAJOR PENDING
                ANTITRUST PROCEEDING; EUROPEAN COMMISSION ISSUES
                     GRAPHITE ELECTRODE ANTITRUST DECISION


         Nashville, TN July 18, 2001 - UCAR International Inc. (NYSE: UCR) today

announced that the European Commission has issued its decision regarding its

graphite electrode antitrust investigation. Under the decision, the Commission

has assessed a fine of Euro 50.4 million (approximately USD $43 million) against

UCAR resulting from the role of our former management in a graphite electrode

price fixing cartel. Seven other graphite electrode producers were also fined

under the decision with fines ranging up to Euro 80.2 million (approximately USD

$69 million). In mid-1998, we brought in a new management team in response to

the antitrust investigations. The new team immediately implemented strict

antitrust compliance policies and procedures. Since 1998, the new team also has

acted expeditiously in settling antitrust liabilities and offered its full

cooperation to the Commission in its investigations. As a result of the fine, we

will record a charge of USD $10 million in the 2001 second quarter. We are very

pleased that this decision brings to a conclusion our last major pending

antitrust liability.


         From the initiation of its investigation, we have cooperated fully and

continuously with the Commission. As a result of our significant and early

cooperation, our fine reflects a 40 percent reduction from the amount that

otherwise would have been assessed. The Commission's policy is to negotiate

appropriate terms of payment of antitrust fines, including extended payment

terms. Based on that policy and our recent discussions regarding payment terms

with the Commission, we believe that payment of the fine


will not interfere with the implementation of our business strategies or

compliance with financial covenants in our credit agreement.


         A registration statement relating to our securities has been filed with

the Securities and Exchange Commission but has not yet become effective. These

securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time

the registration statement becomes effective. This news release shall not

constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall

there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such offer,

solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification

under the securities laws of any such state.


         UCAR PROVIDES NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC GRAPHITE AND CARBON PRODUCTS AND
SERVICES TO CUSTOMERS IN THE STEEL, ALUMINUM, FUEL CELL POWER GENERATION,
ELECTRONICS, SEMICONDUCTOR AND TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRIES.

         NOTE: This news release contains forward-looking statements as defined
in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These include
statements about such matters as future results and benefits of resolution of
antitrust investigations, lawsuits and claims and strategic initiatives. We have
no duty to update such statements. Actual future events and circumstances
(including future performance, results and trends) could differ materially from
those set forth in these statements due to various factors. These factors
include the occurrence of unanticipated events or circumstances relating to
antitrust investigations, lawsuits or claims or strategic initiatives, and other
risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in our filings with the SEC.