EXHIBIT 20
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                                 Contact:   Donald A. DeSantis
                                            Senior Vice President, Chief
                                            Financial Officer and Treasurer
                                            (203) 731-2306

         FIRST BRANDS COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF THE NATIONALPAK BUSINESS
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                          IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
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         Danbury,  CT,  March 19,  1997 - First  Brands  Corporation  (NYSE:FBR)
announced  today  that  it has  completed  its  acquisition  of the  NationalPak
business in Australia and New Zealand from  National  Foods  Limited,  effective
March 14, 1997.  The  NationalPak  business  manufactures  and markets  consumer
products  such as plastic  wrap and bags,  aluminum  foil and  household  wiping
cloths under the GLAD, CHUX, OSO, MONO AND ROTA brand names.

         The purchase price of the business was A$206 million,  or approximately
US$160 million.  Sales for these  businesses  during the last twelve months were
approximately A$159 million (US$123 million).

         William V.  Stephenson,  Chairman,  President  and CEO of First  Brands
commented  that, "the  NationalPak  business is an excellent  consumer  products
company with a committed management team, great brands and strong market shares.

         Strategically for First Brands this acquisition brings those geographic
areas where we did not own the GLAD brand into the family,  and  provides us the
platform  to  introduce  other  household   products  and  possibly  do  further
acquisitions in Australia and New Zealand.

         We believe we can add value to this business by sharing  technology and
information,   as  well  as  marketing  additional  household  products  through
NationalPak's distribution system.






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         The  acquisition  involved  several First Brands  subsidiaries  and was
financed with bank borrowings in North America,  Australia and New Zealand.  The
acquisition  is not  expected  to have any  significant  effect on  consolidated
earnings during the remainder of fiscal 1997.

         First  Brands  Corporation  develops,  manufactures,  markets and sells
leading consumer products sold under the GLAD, GLAD-LOCK, STP, SCOOP AWAY, JONNY
CAT, EVER CLEAN, EVER FRESH, HEARTHSIDE AND STARTERLOGG brand names.

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