Chemical Giant Lyondell Selects ECOutlook.com for Initial E-Business Initiative.

Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers

COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 15, 2000

Internet-based solution to integrate with SAP ERP system and

enable automation of inventory, shipment processes via the Web

ECOutlook.com, the e-business provider that is reinventing the way companies conduct commerce, announced today that it has been selected by Lyondell Chemical Company and its joint venture partner, Equistar Chemicals LP, to connect 150 of the company's remote inventory locations and establish online connections with several core motor freight carriers.

With ECOutlook.com, Lyondell and Equistar will move all traditional paper-based transactions with its freight carriers (shipping orders, bills of lading and MSDS label sheets) electronically over the Internet, quickly eliminating the costs and inefficiencies of paper without any investment in computer hardware or software.

"Lyondell chose ECOutlook.com because of their fast and economical implementation, as well as their product excellence, innovation and vision," said Jeff Hemmer, Vice President, Customer Supply Chain for both Lyondell and Equistar.

"Customers are increasingly demanding speed and convenience in the order fulfillment process. One of our e-business goals is to use Internet-based technologies to make it easier for our trading partners to do business with us."

"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to add Lyondell to our growing list of blue-chip clients," said Mark Kingston, Chairman and CEO of ECOutlook.com. "they are a company that has an unwavering commitment to superior products, delivery and customer service, and we are 100 percent confident that ECOutlook.com will help not only maintain, but even enhance their industry position."

ECOutlook.com makes it possible for large businesses to adopt e-commerce practices with all of their trading partners - suppliers, customers, carriers and support service providers - over the Internet. It also provides a range of value-added services such as automatically, applying rules to data flowing between businesses, tracking shipments, managing inventory and more.

"ECOutlook.com is pioneering the next generation of e-business between suppliers, organizations and customers," said James Paat, president and COO, ECOutlook.com.

"And because our solution is purely Web based - requiring no hardware or software installation for both our clients and their partners - we are able to deliver results at phenomenal speeds and very affordably. In addition, because we can readily integrate with SAP (NYSE: SAP) and other ERP systems - which we are doing with the Lyondell enterprise - all existing client investments are preserved."

With ECOutlook.com, companies can expect to:

-- Reduce their raw materials inventory via improved inventory reporting and ordering with suppliers

-- Dramatically increase the number of suppliers and customers with which they exchange documents electronically

-- Eliminate much of the inefficiency associated with reliance on paper documents generated from telephone, fax and mail orders

-- Help customers and suppliers reduce inefficiencies arising from reliance on antiquated methods of exchanging documents, enabling them to re-deploy human capital to areas of greater need.

About ECOutlook.com

ECOutlook.com is a unique provider of business-to-business information exchange services that enable Global 500 companies to rapidly and easily engage in e-business.

The company is leading the Internet business-to-business curve by providing an open infrastructure that enables effective, cost-efficient and seamless flows of information between a company's business systems and all their suppliers, customers, extended trading communities and digital marketplaces.

All this can be done in a matter of weeks, without implementing new standards, software or hardware. ECOutlook.com customers are joining the e-business revolution and enjoying many benefits such as opening new revenue channels, slashing costs, increasing operational effectiveness and strengthening business relationships.

The company is comprised of leaders from the Internet industry and seasoned executives from companies such Sterling Commerce (NYSE: SE), Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) and American Express (NYSE: AXP).

ECOutlook.com's unique solution is built using proven technologies, including tools from Sterling Commerce (NYSE: SE), WebMethods (NASDAQ: WEBM) and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT). The company is headquartered in Houston, Texas, with operations in Columbus, Ohio.

About Lyondell

Lyondell Chemical Company, with headquarters in Houston, Texas, is the world's largest producer of propylene oxide (PO); the world's number two supplier of polyols and TDI (toluene diisocyanate); a leading producer of propylene glycol; a leading producer of other PO derivatives such as BDO (butanediol) and PGE (propylene glycol ether); and a producer of styrene monomer and MTBE as co-products of PO production.

Through its 41% interest in Equistar Chemicals, LP, Lyondell also is one of the largest producers of ethylene, propylene and polyethylene in North America and a leading producer of polypropylene, ethylene oxide, ethylene glycol, high value-added specialty polymers and polymeric powder.

All names and products mentioned are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective organizations.