Disposal and Trading Update

Porvair PLC 19 November 2004 19th November 2004 Porvair plc ('Porvair') Announces disposal and trading update Porvair today announces that it has reached agreement to dispose of its 25% equity interest in Sympatex companies to the Ploucquet Group, owner of the other 75%. Consideration is Euro 2.1 million (£1.47 million), which is the current carrying value of the investment and brings Porvair's gross return on investment since 2001 (including dividends and fees) to 167%. Porvair will receive Euro 750,000 on 30 November 2004 and Euro 1,350,000 in its next financial year. Porvair continues to lend Euro 1.6 million to Sympatex Marken GmbH & Co. KG with a fixed interest rate of 6% per annum. For the year ended 30 November 2004 the Group expects its performance to be in line with market expectations. Trading in the core filtration businesses has been strong during the year in both the US and the UK. In the new product development operations, bipolar plate technical milestones have been met and initial commercial sales of porous metal products have continued to build steadily. Ben Stocks, Group Chief Executive said 'This disposal comes at the end of what has been a year of good progress for Porvair. It substantially completes Porvair's exit from its older chemical businesses, in line with stated Group strategy.' Ends. Notes to Editors: Porvair is a group of specialist filtration businesses. Its products are used in a range of niche filtration markets, and are derived from its expertise in the development and manufacture of porous and microporous ceramics, metals, plastics and carbons. The Group had annual turnover of £46 million in 2003 and currently employs over 500 people in the UK and USA. The Sympatex companies are Sympatex Technologies GmbH, Sympatex Marken GmbH & Co. KG and Sympatex Verwaltungs-GmbH and are part of the Ploucquet Group. Contacts: Ben Stocks, Group Chief Executive +1 828 694 3445 Chris Tyler, Group Finance Director +44 1553 765 500 Charles Ryland/Ben Willey, Buchanan Communications +44 207 466 5000 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange