Partnership agreement

Stanelco PLC
07 November 2003



7 November 2003


STANELCO AND AQUASOL SIGN PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT


Stanelco plc, the RF (radio frequency) applications group announces that it has
signed an agreement with Aquasol Ltd, an intellectual property based company,
for the use of Stanelco's proprietary RF sealing technology.


Under the terms of the agreement, Aquasol and Stanelco will convert inefficient
thermal sealing machines to work with RF sealing technology and the latest
generation of water-soluble film materials, saving customers around 40% in unit
production costs.  Stanelco and Aquasol will reap a return on this through a
share of the cost savings in the form of royalties.


Commenting on the agreement, Ian Balchin, Chief Executive of Stanelco, said:  
'We are delighted to commence working with Aquasol, which is a well known IP
company and a leader in the field of water-soluble packaging and delivery
systems.  Together we can enable detergent capsule manufacturers to become
low-cost producers of detergent capsules for laundry and home care applications,
whilst at the same time improving the quality of their products and speed of
manufacture.  Our partnership with Aquasol will also enable us to accelerate our
development plans for RF technology.'


Bruce Drew, Managing Director of Aquasol, said:  'We believe that this agreement
with Stanelco will enable us to offer our customers the very best sealing
technology for thermoformed packs, whether water-soluble or not.  We are aware
of the current dispute between Stanelco and BioProgress over certain RF welding
patents, but we have, nevertheless, concluded this agreement as we have great
confidence in Stanelco and in the future of this new technology.'




Notes to Editors:

Stanelco was founded in 1953 and is a world leader in the design and manufacture
of optical fibre furnace technology, induction heating and dielectric welding
equipment.  The company's current core business is the manufacture of optical
fibre using RF technology.  Stanelco has been applying its technology to other
markets and is currently developing detergent capsules, formed starch trays,
edible sachets and waste packing.


Aquasol is an intellectual property based company and a leading independent R&D
provider in the field of water-soluble packaging and delivery systems.
Following its formation 10 years ago, it has been responsible for helping bring
many of the best known, thermoformed water-soluble packs to market for companies
such as Reckitt Benckiser, Unilever and Schering-Plough Animal Health.



                                    - ENDS -



For further information, please contact:

Ian Balchin, Chief Executive
Stanelco plc                          Tel:  [phone]

Jonathon Brill/Caroline Sturdy
Bell Pottinger Financial              Tel:  [phone]

                                        
David Jones
Starting Line (for Aquasol Ltd)       Tel:  [phone]






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