Award of US patent

Porvair PLC
1 December 2000


Immediate Release                         1 December 2000



                                Porvair plc

                              US Patent Awarded
            Porvair  reaffirms commitment to fuel cell technology

Porvair plc, the advanced materials group, today announces the award of a US
patent for its novel microporous material - Micromass TM.  This material
offers wide ranging potential applications, including for fuel cell and fuel
reforming componentry.

Fuel Cell and fuel reforming technology is fast developing, and uses a range
of porous and microporous materials.  Porvair's expertise in microporosity is
helping to find solutions to problems encountered by fuel cell developers in
heat exchange, catalyst substrate, emission and moisture control applications.
Most of Porvair's activity in this field is proprietary either to Porvair or
to their clients, among whom are International Fuel Cells, Nuvera, Shell
Hydrogen and  two major automotive manufacturers.

It is recognised that fuel cell technology is not expected to become
commercial for several years, making this an attractive medium term prospect
for the Group. Porvair's materials expertise, intellectual property position,
quality assurance record and mass production capability position the Group
well for the future.

Porvair sees a range of opportunities in this area, and are finalising
increased R&D investment plans for the year ahead.  Shareholders are expected
to be advised of these, and the effect they will have on the Group, at the
time of the preliminary announcement on 24 January  2001.

Commenting, Ben Stocks, CEO Porvair plc said:

'This award is a positive way to end a satisfactory year for the Group.
Micromass, and the processes associated with its manufacture have wide
market application, but in particular underpin Porvair's position in the
emerging fuel cell market.'


For further information contact :

Porvair plc                                              01553 761111
Ben Stocks, Chief Executive
Mark Moran, Group Finance Director

Buchanan Communications                                  020 7466 5000
Charles Ryland / Catherine Miles