Brazilian Acquisition of Reax Industria for £12m

Burmah Castrol PLC
20 January 2000

                               
                        BURMAH CASTROL
          FURTHER EXPANSION OF CONSTRUCTION CHEMICALS

Burmah  Castrol  plc  ('Burmah  Castrol'),  the  international
specialised  lubricants  and chemicals  group,  announces  the
further expansion of its Fosroc Construction business with the
acquisition  of Reax Industria e Commercio Ltda,  Brazil,  for
£12 million in cash.

Reax  is  the leading supplier of concrete admixtures  to  the
Brazilian  civil engineering and construction industries,  and
also  has  a  strong  position  in  cement-based  mortars  and
specialised coatings for the refurbishment market.  The  total
market  for  construction chemicals in Brazil is  around  £200
million.

Reax  will  complement Fosroc's existing Brazilian operations,
creating  a  market leading company with sales of  around  £10
million,  and will provide a platform for penetration  of  the
Latin American market.

This  move  follows Fosroc's acquisition of CIA,  France,  and
Holderchem  Euco  SA (HESA), Spain, for £15  million  in  June
1999, and will further strengthen Fosroc's global position and
technological capabilities.

Tim Stevenson, chief executive of Burmah Castrol, comments:
  'Fosroc Construction has a powerful technical and  market
  position and we intend to expand this business as part of
  our strategy to enhance shareholder value.  Following its
  excellent  results  in 1999, a programme  of  significant
  revenue investment in geographic expansion and technology
  development is planned for 2000, which will be  supported
  by further acquisitions as appropriate.'



For further enquiries, please contact:

James Alexander, Corporate Affairs Director,
Burmah Castrol plc                               0171 499 9533
Sharon Ostaszewska, External Relations,
Burmah Castrol plc                                01793 452946

Rachel Hirst/Harriet Keen,
Hogarth Partnership Limited                      0171 357 9477


A  copy  of  this release plus further company information  is
available on our website: www.burmah-castrol.com




Notes to editors:

Note 1
Burmah  Castrol  businesses market specialised  lubricant  and
chemical  products  and services on a  worldwide  basis.   The
group had a turnover close to £3 billion and operating profits
of  £255  million  for the full year 1998.  It  has  over  150
subsidiaries  operating in some 55 countries and employs  just
under  20,000 people.  Burmah Castrol is based around a series
of  international  businesses, each focused  on  the  specific
requirements  of  its  own  market place  but  sharing  common
characteristics.  Four of the group's businesses  trade  under
the Castrol brand name and the remaining businesses operate in
speciality chemicals.

Note 2
Fosroc Construction provides formulated products for the civil
engineering  and construction industries worldwide,  including
repair  and  maintenance.  The Fosroc brand is  recognised  at
every  stage  of the construction process, from foundation  to
completion.   Products  include admixtures  to  give  improved
workability, strength and durability to concrete in  different
climatic   conditions;  sealants  for  reservoirs,  dams   and
tunnels;  and products to protect new concrete and extend  the
life of old structures.

Note 3
The acquisition of CIA, France, and Holderchem Euco SA (HESA),
Spain in June 1999 enhanced Fosroc Construction's position  in
Western  Europe, most particularly in the fast growing Spanish
market  where  HESA's activities complement Fosroc's  existing
operations.  Fosroc's position worldwide was also strengthened
by   the  acquisition  of  CIA  through  its  development  and
application of new types of polycarboxylate concrete admixture
technology and cement additives.

Note 4
Within  the  construction industry,  the  use  of  admixtures,
mortars and coatings, is increasingly important.

*     Admixtures   are   added  to   concrete   in   the   new
      construction   process  to  improve  the   concrete   by
      minimising  the amount of cement required  to  obtain  a
      certain  strength.   They also enhance  the  performance
      and durability of concrete.
      
*     Mortars  are  mixtures of sand, cement and  small  sized
      aggregates  which  are  designed to  remediate  concrete
      where  it has been incorrectly placed or used to  repair
      damaged  concrete.   There is a wide  range  of  mortars
      available  for  different  applications  and  strengths.
      Ancillary   products  are  used  with  the  mortars   to
      minimise further corrosion.
      
*     Coatings  are applied to steel and concrete  to  prevent
      the  ingress  of aggressive elements, such as  chloride,
      de-icing  salts,  acid  gases in the  atmosphere,  which
      attack concrete.