Re Contract

Surface Transforms PLC
19 May 2003



News Release


19 May 2003


Surface Transforms wins new commercial order for carbon preforms


Surface Transforms plc, makers of high technology carbon ceramic material
solutions for the high performance car and aerospace markets, has won an order
worth over £24,500 for carbon fibre preforms from one of the world's largest
manufacturers of carbon based materials.


Carbon fibre preforms are mats of interwoven multi-directional carbon fibres.
They form the basic materials that Surface Transforms converts into ceramic
brakes, discs and non-friction aerospace parts by using its unique, patented
transformation processes.


The order for carbon preforms, tailored to meet the customer's specific
requirements, is expected to be delivered within the next six weeks.


In 2002 Surface Transforms began manufacturing its own preforms because it found
that external suppliers could not guarantee the quality of their products nor
meet defined supply dates. It has recently accelerated the marketing of its
preforms range, and its presence in the high performance motorsport market,
after changes in FIA 2003 racing rules forced the company to scale back its
ambitions in Formula One.


Commenting on the sale, Mr Julio Faria, Managing Director, said:


'We are delighted to have received this initial order from a leading global
carbon manufacturer. Naturally, we're hopeful this customer will soon place
additional preform orders. We anticipate that other companies requiring high
quality carbon preforms will place orders with us. Our plant has the capacity to
produce materials worth in excess of £4m a year.'


Enquiries, please contact:


David Levis                                      Neil Boom
Commercial Director                              Managing Director
Surface Transforms plc                           Gresham PR Ltd.
01928 735498                                     020 7404 9000



Notes to editors


Surface Transforms is developing and manufacturing a new generation of carbon
fibre reinforced ceramic (CFRC) materials for use in brakes and clutches and
also for non-friction applications. The materials are characterised by their
ability to withstand very high temperatures (up to 3000degreesC) whilst being
lightweight (70% lighter than cast iron), and have applications in a number of
markets including aircraft, high-speed rail, road cars, heavy goods vehicles and
Indy Racing League. New markets for the material continue to be explored,
including non-friction market applications like rocket propulsion system
components such as those now being developed for a division of a major aerospace
company.


Formed as a plc in 1999, the origins of the company date back to 1992 when the
business was founded in order to exploit new patents relating to materials and
processes obtained from ICI Plc. The business soon became involved in a DTI
sponsored LINK programme for the development of a novel low cost manufacturing
process for carbon composite brakes for very high speed trains.


The company has set up links with a major global manufacturer of aircraft
braking systems and is also developing and pilot manufacturing brake pads and
discs for use on high performance road cars. It continues to develop motorsport
brake products and a number of teams are currently evaluating the materials.



In 2002, the company began supplying test components to a division of a major
aerospace company for a rocket propulsion system. Initial test results have been
highly encouraging and further testing has now been commissioned.


The company floated on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market
(AIM) in September 2002.


Activities

The core activity

The exploitation of proprietary technologies to create and improve novel
friction materials, the Company has established working relationships with key
existing and potential customers including major aerospace and aircraft brake
manufacturers, road and rail braking systems manufacturers and Formula 1 motor
racing teams. Technology and products have been developed over a period of 10
years.


Manufacturing

A state-of-the-art manufacturing plant at the Cheshire Innovation Park, part of
the Shell Manufacturing Complex at Ellesmere Port, in Cheshire, has enabled the
Company to concentrate on the move from pilot scale to product manufacturing.
This has resulted in a number of significant advancements in production
techniques.








                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange