Poly-Flex Business Sold

Cookson Group PLC 25 January 2000 COOKSON SELLS POLY-FLEX BUSINESS Cookson Group plc ('Cookson'), the international materials technology group, announces that it has reached agreement to sell Poly-Flex Circuits Inc. and Poly-Flex Circuits Ltd. ('Poly-Flex') to Parlex Corporation (NASDAQ: PRLX) for a cash consideration of US$19 million (£11.5 million). Poly-Flex is a manufacturer of polymer thick film (PTF) flexible circuit assemblies for telecommunications, appliances and the electronics industry in the UK and USA. Completion of the transaction is conditional upon receipt of regulatory approvals which are expected to be received shortly. In addition, Cookson has acquired from Parlex certain patents related to the manufacture of substrates for thin core laminates. This will strengthen Cookson's position as a leader in high performance laminates for the fast growth micro via market. Stephen Howard, Cookson's Group Chief Executive, commented: 'Cookson Electronics plans to grow its PC Fabrication business by broadening the range of laminate and chemical products it supplies to the printed circuit broad fabrication industry. The products that Poly-Flex offered did not fit with this strategy and were directed at a different customer base. The acquisition of the patents from Parlex will further strengthen our ability to provide high performance laminates for the strong growth telecommunications and semiconductor packaging industries by allowing them to produce smaller, faster and lighter devices.' For further information, please contact: Stephen Howard Dennis Millard Group Chief Executive Group Finance Director Cookson Group plc Cookson Group plc London WC2N 6HJ London WC2N 6HJ Tel: 0207 766 4500 Tel: 0207 766 4500 Fax: 0207 747 6600 Fax: 0207 747 6600

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