ATOFINA Selects webMethods to Streamline Integration for Business-To-Business --B2B-- Supply Chain Initiatives.

Business/Technology Editors

FAIRFAX, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 17, 2001

webMethods B2B will Provide Tight Integration with Leading Chemical

Industry Buyers and Suppliers, Enabling Real-time Information

Exchange

webMethods, Inc. (Nasdaq: WEBM), the leading provider of business-to-business integration (B2Bi) solutions, today announced that ATOFINA Chemicals, Inc. has selected webMethods B2B(TM) to automate the communication and exchange of information between ATOFINA and leading buyers and suppliers in the chemical industry. webMethods B2B will enable real-time transactions and will eliminate inefficiencies in the supply chain, reducing costs and solidifying relationships with strategic customers and suppliers.

According to Forrester Research, online business trade in the U.S. has hit hypergrowth and is setting the stage for B2B e-commerce to hit $2.7 trillion in 2004. ATOFINA Chemicals, a division of ATOFINA, which is the world's fifth largest chemical company, is fueling tremendous growth in B2B by ensuring that customers and suppliers receive the most reliable platform for the exchange of business-critical data. By using webMethods B2B, ATOFINA can connect its SAP 4.6 system directly via the Internet with the back-end ERP systems of its top trading partners. ATOFINA customers and suppliers will be able to share forecast information, check real-time material availability, and create and change purchase orders. Additionally, partners may receive order confirmations, delivery and shipment confirmations, and invoice information.

"ATOFINA was looking for a company with a proven record of success that could provide us with a solution that would not require partner-specific configuration in our SAP 4.6 environment," explained Dave Seifert, CIO for ATOFINA Chemicals. "webMethods is the perfect match. They have significant experience working with SAP and are by far the leaders in providing business-to-business integration solutions for the chemical industry. We have been successful in containing partner-specific configuration to webMethods."

In addition to selecting webMethods to provide a secure B2B platform for

seamless integration with trading partners, ATOFINA also chose webMethods to build a flexible, standardized B2B infrastructure that will provide the company with a solution that can be leveraged for all future B2Bi projects. Future integration projects include Elemica, the chemical mega-marketplace, and ATOFINA's Web storefront, Atofina.com. By providing broad support for all Internet standards and protocols, webMethods B2B will enable ATOFINA to quickly integrate existing and new trading partners with minimal stress to corporate resources and existing technology systems.

"We are delighted to be providing ATOFINA with the ability to improve supply chain efficiencies for the company's most strategic customers and suppliers," said Glenn MacKenzie, director, Chemical Industry Solutions of webMethods, Inc. "webMethods B2B enables ATOFINA to quickly integrate trading partners with no changes to their existing technology infrastructure, thus increasing the value of online trade. By leveraging webMethods B2B to simplify integration efforts and streamline the supply chain, ATOFINA will have the flexibility to adapt as the company expands its business-to-business e-commerce initiatives."

About ATOFINA Chemicals, Inc.

ATOFINA Chemicals, Inc. (formerly Elf Atochem North America) produces high-performance chemicals and polymers. Headquartered in Philadelphia, ATOFINA Chemicals has sales of $2 billion and employs more than 4,000 people. ATOFINA Chemicals is part of ATOFINA, the world's 6th largest chemical company, with sales of $17 billion. ATOFINA (Paris, France) is the chemicals segment of TotalFinaElf, the world's 5th largest oil and gas company (NYSE: TOT). More information about the company can be found at www.AtofinaChemicals.com.

About webMethods, Inc.

webMethods, Inc. (Nasdaq: WEBM) is the leading provider of software solutions for business-to-business integration (B2Bi). As the only company providing seamless B2Bi across the Internet and throughout the extended enterprise, webMethods provides Global 2000 companies and B2B marketplaces with a complete, end-to-end solution for integrating customers, suppliers and partners into real-time B2B trading networks, while also increasing internal operational efficiencies. The webMethods product family allows companies to create new revenue opportunities, strengthen relationships with customers, substantially reduce supply chain inefficiencies and streamline internal business processes.

Founded in 1996, webMethods is based in Fairfax, Va., with offices across the U.S., Europe and Asia. With an emphasis on key vertical markets such as chemicals, financial services, high-tech manufacturing and telecommunications, webMethods has more than 500 customers worldwide--from Global 2000 leaders such as Citibank, Dell, Eastman Chemical Company, Fidelity Investments, Grainger, Motorola and Starbucks to major B2B marketplaces like ChemConnect, e-STEEL and PetroCosm. webMethods' strategic partners include Ariba, Commerce One, Deloitte Consulting, EDS, i2 Technologies, J.D. Edwards, KPMG, Microsoft, Oracle Corp., SAP AG and Siebel. More information about the company can be found at www.webMethods.com.

webMethods and webMethods B2B are trademarks of webMethods, Inc. All other company and product names are property of their respective owners.

This press release contains various remarks about the future expectations, plans and prospects of webMethods that constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The actual results of webMethods may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including those discussed in the Risk Factors section of webMethods' recent Registration Statement on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2000, which are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.