"Megamergers and e-Business: New Competitive Paradigms Reshaping the Global Industry"; Chem Systems' Annual International Seminars.

Business Editors

TARRYTOWN, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 1, 2000

The recent rash of mergers and restructuring throughout the petrochemical industry as well as the almost daily announcements of new web-based channels covering all aspects of the petrochemical supply chain will have major impacts on the industry. How these issues will affect the competitive nature of the petrochemical and related process industries in the future will be covered in Chem Systems' annual Asian and Latin American petrochemical seminars, scheduled this November in Tokyo, Singapore and Rio de Janeiro. These conferences will feature presentations by Chem Systems experienced senior staff and by invited guest experts on issues of particular interest in each of the regions.

- November 9, 2000 - Tokyo, Japan. The 21st Annual Japan Seminar

program includes "Petrochemical Profitability: Here Today,

Gone Tomorrow or Vice Versa", "Asian Cost Competitiveness

After the Crisis", "China Petrochemicals After WTO Entry",

"e-Marketing of Petrochemicals" as well as presentations on

ethylene, transformation of the polyolefins business, styrene 

global outlook, and opportunities for stranded gas. Special

presentations on the Restructured Korean Petrochemical

Industry and "Unlocking the Commercial Potential of

Biotechnology" are also included.

- November 8, 2000 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Chem Systems 16th

Annual Latin American Seminar, held the day after the APLA 

Conference, will have essentially the same program as the

Tokyo Seminar. In addition, there will be special

presentations on the outlook for Latin America.

- November 15-17, 2000 - Singapore. The 20th Annual Southeast

Asia Seminar will feature essentially the same program as the

Tokyo seminar plus a special session on refining that will

include "Outlook for Asian Refining", "Impact of MTBE 

Phase-Out", and "Prospects for East Asian Lubricants & Base

Oils". In addition there will be papers on the Singapore

petrochemical Industry by a local key industry executive and

the outlook for the Return of Project Finance in the Asian

Refining & Petrochemical Industries. The final day of the

conference will include a one-day bus tour and briefing of the

existing and planned petrochemical facilities on expanded

Jurong Island.

Dr. Harold Wittcoff's widely acclaimed course, "An Overview of the Organic Chemical Industry: Technology and Economics," will be offered prior to the Southeast Asia seminar on November 13-15 in Singapore. The course has been presented to a long list of Chem Systems' clients as well as academic and industrial participants in 30 countries. The course, which provides a comprehensive look at materials, reactions, and products, is invaluable for professionals at all levels and in all phases of the chemical industry who seek a fuller understanding of it.

Chem Systems (www.chemsystems.com) is a leading management consultancy to the global energy, chemical, and related industries. For over 30 years, Chem Systems has helped clients increase business value through assistance in all aspects of business strategy, including business intelligence, project feasibility and implementation, operational improvement, portfolio planning, and growth through M&A activities. As a part of IBM's (NYSE: IBM) Global Industries' Chemicals and Petroleum Sector since 1998, Chem Systems provides industry expertise and thought leadership to complement the vast range of IBM's services and products. Chem Systems has its main offices in White Plains (New York) and London (UK), and satellite offices worldwide.

Additional information and on-line registration will be available soon at www.chemsystems.com, or contact Natalie Diaz at phone: [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail [e-mail].