Studsvik Polymer Acquired for £1.8m

Bodycote International PLC
4 January 2000


For further information, please contact:

David Landless, Finance Director        Tel: [phone]
Bodycote International plc

Edward Bridges                          Tel:  [phone]
Financial Dynamics
                                       
                                       
                Bodycote expands its European testing business
                    and acquires Midlands coatings company

Acquisition of Studsvik Polymer AB

Bodycote   International  plc,  the  international  metal  processing   group,
announces  the acquisition by its materials testing division of  the  business
and assets of Studsvik Polymer AB ('Studsvik Polymer') of Sweden from Studsvik
AB for a cash consideration of SEK 24.2 million (£1.8 million).

The  business now operates under its new name of Bodycote Polymer AB, and will
provide  lifetime testing of plastic and polymeric materials to  its  customer
base of resin producers, plastics manufacturers and end users.

Adjusted  pre-tax  profits of SEK3.8 million (£280,000) on  sales  of  SEK18.5
million  (£1.4  million) are expected for the year to 31 December  1999.   The
book value of the assets acquired is SEK3.5 million (£260,000).

The  acquisition  of  Studsvik Polymer is further  development  in  Bodycote's
strategic  goal  to  broaden the base of its testing group by  diversification
into new materials which, in many cases, are being used to replace traditional
metal components.

Acquisition of Hemus & Pearson (Electroplating) Limited

Bodycote   International  plc,  the  international  metal  processing   group,
announces the acquisition by Bodycote Metallurgical Coatings Limited of  Hemus
&  Pearson (Electroplating) Limited ('Hemus & Pearson') based in Dudley in the
West Midlands, for a cash consideration of £550,000.

Hemus  &  Pearson  specialises in zinc electroplating  for  customers  in  the
automotive sector, and made operating profits of £82,000 on sales of  £344,000
in the year to 30 September 1999.  Net assets acquired amounted to £445,000.

Hemus & Pearson's managing director, Mr Kenneth Hemus, will be joining
Bodycote's metallurgical coatings division and in due course, the company will
be merged with the division's main operating site at Wolverhampton.

Bodycote International plc offers a range of metallurgical processing services
from 195 sites in 19 countries.