AEA Technology Engineering Software Announces BDK 2000; Batch Processing Lifecycle Tool Reduces Process Development Time and Cost by Up To 80%.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 17, 1999--

AEA Technology Engineering Software today announced BDK 2000 at the Chem Show in New York City.

BDK is a batch processing lifecycle tool designed to support the work process and information requirements of the specialty/fine chemical, agrochemical and pharmaceutical industries. By supporting the "information supply chain" of batch process development, BDK has enabled companies to increase development productivity, improve process robustness and more effective decision-making.

The overall effect is up to an 80% reduction in development time and costs where BDK was deployed.

Initially, a "preview" version will be released in January 2000 to the BDK Steering Group, which will maximize the industry feedback incorporated into the final version scheduled to be shipped March 2000. The BDK Steering Group is a committee of leading batch processing companies that provide the technical direction for BDK to ensure that it meets current and future industry needs.

According to Dr. John Berrier, Senior Scientist at Rohm and Haas Company, a founding member of the BDK Steering Group, "Due to its focus on process development, BDK is ideally suited to the needs of the process chemist and engineer during all stages of process development. Enhancement of communication is one of the primary reasons Rohm and Haas chose BDK for a corporate-wide implementation, and selected it above other software available on the market."

James McGill, Batch Processing Business Manager at AEA Technology Engineering Software, added, "BDK 2000 incorporates substantial feedback from the BDK Steering Group to further increase its functionality throughout the process development lifecycle. It strongly underscores our continuing focus on process development and technology transfer as the areas that deliver the greatest value to our customers."

BDK 2000 combines advanced software technology with proven expertise in chemical synthesis, reaction engineering and key batch processing unit operations, such as crystallization, solid-liquid separation and drying. Some of the major capabilities of BDK 2000 are:

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--   Process Development: Improve decision making and productivity
     using cost sensitivity analyses and an automatic recipe
     generation "wizard."

--   Information Sharing: Share projects and data in an on-line
     repository while documenting the development process for use in
     QA/Regulatory reporting.

--   Extension Models: Incorporate custom models directly into BDK
     using spreadsheets or Visual Basic. Detailed crystallizer and
     dryer from SPS extension models will ship with BDK 2000.

--   Component Properties: Create custom properties to track and
     update vital component information.

--   Services: Send batch data (including environmental emissions or
     waste production) to other tools, such as continuous process
     simulators.

--   Recipe Text: Customize recipe text to match corporate standards
     and convert to multiple languages.

BDK is a component of the BaSYS system of software and services for the batch processing industries. BaSYS combines advanced software tools, in-depth knowledge bases and layered models to enhance overall business performance. It includes VisiMix (mathematical modeling of laminar and turbulent mixing processes) and SPS (selection, design and operation of separation and related process technologies).

About AEA Technology Engineering Software

AEA Technology Engineering Software is a leading supplier of engineering solutions for the process and mechanical manufacturing industries. The business operates from a network of 20 offices worldwide, with subsidiaries in Canada, USA, Germany, Spain, France and Japan.

Its range of software products includes process simulation (HYSYS), batch process design (BaSYS), computational fluid dynamics (CFX), separation process design (SPS), heat transfer (HTFS), plant lifecycle data management (AXSYS), as well as operator training, fatigue and lifetime prediction solutions (nCode).

The business aims to provide an unequalled software environment for the management of knowledge and design throughout the engineering and operational lifecycle within its expanding customer base.

AEA Technology Engineering Software is a business of AEA Technology plc, one of the world's leading innovation businesses supplying technical, safety and environmental solutions to a broad range of industries worldwide.

AEA Technology plc (LSE:AAT) employs nearly 4,500 people in 26 locations around the world, bringing science to the marketplace through consultancy, technical services, hardware and software systems, research and development and technology transfer.

For more information on BDK or AEA Technology Engineering Software, visit their website at www.software.aeat.com or contact James McGill at 403/520-6092 / [e-mail] or Marie Telepneff at 510/748-4709 / [e-mail].

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