Wins grant from US

Porvair PLC 2 July 2001 2 July 2001 PORVAIR PLC Wins substantial development grant from US Department of Energy to develop fuel cell technology Porvair plc, the fully listed UK based material sciences group announces that it has won a substantial development grant from the US Department of Energy to develop carbon and carbon composite bipolar plates for fuel cells. Porvair will also develop high-volume production methods for this technology. The grant, announced by US Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham, is for $6.1million on a cost-shared basis, over 3 years, and is a substantial part of an $85 million award programme that is to be invested in energy efficient science and technology. 18 organisations and 5 universities benefited, with Porvair being the only UK listed company to be included. The development grant will be used to broaden and accelerate Porvair's already committed research and development programme in fuel cell components technology. Commenting on the award Ben Stocks, Chief Executive of Porvair plc said: 'This award is a tremendous accolade for Porvair, and a great endorsement for our technology, which received funding against considerable competition. The US Department of Energy's programme is the largest of its kind in the world, and we are delighted to be so significantly involved.' Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham commenting on the award programme said : 'Enhancing energy efficiency is an important goal of the President's National Energy Policy. By working together with partners from industry and the academic community we can make the technological advances and scientific breakthroughs needed to fully realize the potential of fuel cell technologies ' Ben Stocks, Chief Executive Mark Moran, Group Finance Director Porvair plc 01553 761111 07768 553188 Charles Ryland / Catherine Miles Buchanan Communications 020 7466 5000