ATOFINA Petrochemicals Inc. Awards Polyethylene Project to Pavilion; 35th Facility to Implement Pavilion Polymers Solution.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 15, 2002

ATOFINA, the world's fifth largest chemical company, has selected Pavilion Technologies to optimize its high density polyethylene (HDPE) unit in Bayport, Texas.

The project represents Pavilion's 35th polyolefin control and optimization project using Process Perfecter(R) optimization software.

The HDPE unit selected for optimization, a slurry loop reactor, has a design capacity of 200,000 metric tons per year. One factor in ATOFINA's decision to select Pavilion was the company's extensive experience delivering polyolefin optimization solutions and the expertise of its engineering staff.

"We selected Pavilion because of their reputation and experience," said Stephen Pocsik, plant manager of ATOFINA's Bayport HDPE facility. "We believe Pavilion solutions will enhance our competitive edge and our flexibility in a dynamic market."

Pavilion's patented, neural-network based software solution, Process Perfecter(R), leverages both linear and non-linear predictive modeling capabilities to enforce process constraints and optimize plant operations relative to production, quality and economic objectives.

Pavilion has installed a majority of all polymer optimization solutions worldwide -- enabling leading polymer companies to increase product quality, reduce transition times and increase production.

"ATOFINA is a company committed to excellence, and we look forward to a long partnership of success," said Doug Johnson, COO of Pavilion. "This award further solidifies Pavilion's position as the dominant supplier of optimization solutions to the polyolefin industry."

ATOFINA Petrochemicals Inc. (www.atofina.com)

ATOFINA Petrochemicals Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, produces polypropylene, polyethylene, styrene and base chemicals. With sales of $3.8 billion in 2001, ATOFINA Petrochemicals Inc. employs more than 1600 people in the U.S. and is part of ATOFINA, the 5th largest chemicals company in the world with approximately 72, 000 employees worldwide and 2001 sales of $17.5 billion (EURO 19.6 billion). ATOFINA is the chemical branch of TotalFinaElf (NYSE:TOT), the worlds 4th largest oil and gas company with 123,000 employees worldwide and sales in 2001 of $94 billion (EURO 105 billion).

About Pavilion (www.pav.com)

Pavilion Technologies Inc. is a Real-time Enterprise Optimization (REO)(TM) software solutions company, helping businesses leverage the power of their information assets to make the best, real-time decisions. Pavilion's engineering and consulting expertise coupled with its patented decision software provides solutions that create millions of dollars in annual benefits for industrial and energy customers. Pavilion has successfully implemented over 1,700 solutions at more than 200 facilities worldwide. Established in 1991 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, Pavilion is a privately held corporation with offices in the U.S., Belgium, Japan and New Zealand.