ChemConnect Selects webMethods to Provide Business-to-Business Integration -B2Bi- Solution for Its Trading Exchange.

Business/Technology Editors

FAIRFAX, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 7, 2000

webMethods B2B to Enable Real-time B2B Transactions

Between Chemical Industry Buyers and Sellers

webMethods, Inc. (Nasdaq:WEBM), a leading provider of business-to-business integration (B2Bi) solutions, today announced ChemConnect, the largest global Internet exchange for chemicals and plastics, has selected webMethods B2B(TM) to enable real-time B2B transactions. The initial project will provide the integration solution for some of ChemConnect's Charter Members, including Eastman Chemical Company.

The chemicals and plastics industry is a $1.7 trillion market. ChemConnect's World Chemical Exchange(TM) is the largest global chemical and plastics exchange, providing an open neutral market for chemicals and plastics manufacturers, buyers and intermediaries to conduct real-time online transactions for all types of products. ChemConnect recently announced that 23 of the world's top chemicals and plastics companies have signed on as Charter Members with most declaring ChemConnect as their preferred third party e-commerce solution for the sale and purchase of chemicals and plastics.

As part of the agreement with webMethods, ChemConnect's customers, distributors and suppliers will receive webMethods B2B for Partners, to allow partners to integrate their back-end procurement systems with the trading exchange. Transactions will be automated, with orders placed on internal purchasing applications and submitted instantaneously across corporate firewalls to partners. To ensure all partners can seamlessly connect with the exchange, webMethods B2B supports all open standards and protocols of the Internet.

"The World Chemical Exchange is a leading Exchange that will enable chemicals and plastics companies from around the world to improve transaction efficiencies by making real-time transactions," said John Beasley, CEO of ChemConnect. "webMethods offers these companies a B2B integration solution to help rapidly connect the industry supply chain into a truly interactive and seamless purchasing experience."

"ChemConnect provides the chemical industry with a platform for real-time, secure procurement," said Phillip Merrick, president and CEO of webMethods. "Using webMethods B2B to integrate this supply chain will enable ChemConnect's partners to order and track their shipments in real-time. The World Chemical Exchange presents an opportunity for reducing inventory and costs and increasing supply chain efficiency."

webMethods provides a comprehensive solution that allows organizations to effectively realize their B2B e-commerce strategies. Through broad support of open standards and protocols, such as XML, RosettaNet, FpML, cXML, OBI, OAG, ACORD, Microsoft BizTalk and legacy EDI, the webMethods B2B product suite connects integrated business communities and enables companies to conduct business over the Internet with minimal stress to corporate resources and existing infrastructure.

About webMethods, Inc.

webMethods, Inc. (Nasdaq:WEBM) is the leading provider of software solutions for business-to-business integration (B2Bi). Leveraging the open standards of the Internet, the award-winning webMethods B2B(TM) family of products provides the B2Bi infrastructure enabling Global 2000 companies and B2B marketplaces to connect customers, suppliers and partners to form real-time B2B trading networks. webMethods B2B allows companies to create new revenue opportunities, strengthen relationships with customers and substantially reduce supply chain inefficiencies.

Founded in 1996, webMethods is based in Fairfax, Va., with offices across the U.S. and Europe. webMethods has more than 130 customers worldwide--from Global 2000 leaders such as Dell, Eastman Chemical Company, Lucent and W.W. Grainger to major B2B marketplaces like e-STEEL and ChemConnect. webMethods' strategic partners include Ariba, Deloitte Consulting, EDS, KPMG, Microsoft, Sterling Commerce and SAP AG. More information about the company can be found at www.webMethods.com.

About ChemConnect

ChemConnect is the Internet's largest global electronic marketplace for all types of chemicals and plastics. Manufacturers, buyers, and intermediaries, around the world, use ChemConnect's World Chemical Exchange, an open, neutral market, to find trading partners, negotiate pricing and complete transactions online. Founded in 1995, ChemConnect is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in Houston, Philadelphia, Singapore, and London. Investors in ChemConnect include Goldman Sachs, Institutional Venture Partners (IVP), Weiss, Peck & Greer, CMEA Ventures, Highland Capital Partners, Andersen Consulting, BASF; Borealis; BP Amoco Chemicals; Celanese; CK Witco; The Dow Chemical Company; DSM N.V.; Eastman Chemical Company; Geon; GE Plastics; Imperial Chemicals Industries, PLC; Marubeni America Corporation; Mitsubishi Corporation; Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.), Inc.; Occidental Chemical Corporation; PPG Industries; Praxair; Reichhold, Inc.; Rohm & Haas; Saudi Basic Industries Corporation; Solutia Inc.; Sumitomo Corporation; The Titan/Westlake Group. For more information, visit the company's website at www.chemconnect.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 S-1, which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.