-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 BA2GwVF4o9ul1cb4eeW0dhzmBxfpimGMGY9a6vdVqbqv4ePc23opgY2pb3FTPAd6
 tVjSORednkRjQSjuPag08w==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000914317-08-002983.txt : 20081215
<SEC-HEADER>0000914317-08-002983.hdr.sgml : 20081215
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20081215152744
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000914317-08-002983
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20081210
FILED AS OF DATE:		20081215
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20081215

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BALCHEM CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000009326
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CHEMICALS & ALLIED PRODUCTS [2800]
		IRS NUMBER:				132578432
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 600
		CITY:			NEW HAMPTON
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10958
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8453265632

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 600
		CITY:			NEW HAMPTON
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10958

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Premdas Perry W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001311568

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13648
		FILM NUMBER:		081249668

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		913-344-9200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		9900 WEST 109TH STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 600
		CITY:			OVERLAND PARK
		STATE:			KS
		ZIP:			66210
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4-96450_ppex.xml
<DESCRIPTION>4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-12-10</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000009326</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BALCHEM CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BCPC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001311568</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Premdas Perry W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>BALCHEM CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>P.O. BOX 600</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW HAMPTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10958</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-12-10</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>4250</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>.0666</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>18200</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The purchased stock is subject to a repurchase option in favor of the Issuer and to restrictions on transfer until it vests
 in accordance with the provisions of a Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement between the Issuer and the Reporting Person.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/  Perry W. Premdas</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-12-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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