CIDX, GPA Join Forces to Promote XML Standards.

Business Editors

ALEXANDRIA, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 20, 2002

The Chemical Industry Data Exchange (CIDX) and Gas Processors Association (GPA) announced today an agreement to collaborate on the adoption of XML-based standards within the gas processing industry and implementation of the Chem eStandards(TM) to facilitate electronic trade within and between the gas processing and chemical industries.

Developed by the chemical industry, the Chem eStandards are uniform standards that use Extensible Markup Language (XML) to enable data exchange for the buying, selling and delivery of chemicals. An electronic commerce language, XML is used worldwide to define structures for data exchange among companies in all industries.

Under the agreement, GPA will become an associate member of CIDX and will participate through representation on CIDX working teams. GPA representatives will also attend CIDX general membership meetings and will work directly with all GPA members to identify, define and communicate further enhancements to the Chem eStandards that meet the gas processing industry needs.

"The gas processing industry is comprised of important trading partners for the chemical industry, and we are very pleased that the Chem eStandards will provide a common XML platform for the two global industries," said Patricia B. Simmons, CIDX Executive Director. "Similar to the joint initiative between the chemical, agricultural and petroleum industries announced earlier this year, this cross-industry effort will be one more milestone toward improving the ease, speed and cost effectiveness of electronic business between chemical companies and their trading partners."

"Today's announcement represents a sound, strategic move for the gas processing industry," said Mark F. Sutton, GPA Executive Director. "Through the CIDX agreement, our members will be able to leverage a proven, effective XML standard, and the association will augment its efforts to build industry-specific XML standards without incurring the significant costs associated with creating and operating an independent standards body."

About CIDX(TM)

CIDX is a global trade association and standards body, whose mission is to improve the ease, speed and cost of conducting business electronically between chemical companies and their trading partners.

Through the collaborative effort of over 80 chemical industry leaders, CIDX has built the XML based Chem eStandards, which define 52 business messages required by chemical companies to carry out highly secure transactions with suppliers and customers over the Internet. The Chemical Industry Data Exchange uses the trademarks CIDX(TM) and Chem eStandards(TM).

About GPA

GPA is an incorporated non-profit trade association made up of about 105 corporate members, all of whom are engaged in the processing of natural gas into merchantable pipeline gas, volume movement, or further processing of liquid products from natural gas. The active membership as a group accounts for approximately 90% of all natural gas liquids produced in the United States.

The active membership also includes a number of Canadian and international companies that produce natural gas liquids on a global scale.