Acquisition

COOKSON GROUP PLC
15 July 1999

COOKSON ACQUIRES ELECTRONIC MATERIALS BUSINESS
FROM BP AMOCO FOR £77 MILLION


Cookson Group plc ('Cookson'), the international materials
technology group, announces that agreement has been reached
to acquire the Plaskon Electronic Materials business of BP
Amoco for a consideration of US$121 million (£77 million) on
a debt free basis and payable in cash on completion.  The
transaction is subject to satisfactory regulatory approvals
being received.

Plaskon manufactures polymer based moulding compounds which
are primarily used to encapsulate electronic devices, such
as semiconductors.  Plaskon has an extensive range of patent
protected products and a number of new compounds under
development.  Importantly, Plaskon has a strong position in
the fast growing market for encapsulants used in area array
products such as ball grid arrays (BGAs).  Plaskon is
headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia in the USA, employs
approximately 200 people and has a manufacturing plant in
Singapore.

Plaskon's products are highly complementary with those ofcs to offer
enhanced product packages to its major customers.  In
particular, Cookson's leading role in the manufacture of BGA
solder spheres and Plaskon's leading position in the supply
of moulding compounds for BGAs will ensure the combined
business commands a pre-eminent role in the fastest growing
sector of the integrated circuit packaging market.  The R&D
programmes of both businesses will strengthen further
Cookson's position at the forefront of technological
innovation in the electronics materials industry.

For the year ended 31 December 1998, Plaskon had sales of
£25 million and operating profits of £3.3 million on a stand
alone basis; the net tangible asset value, on a debt free
basis, at that year end was £20 million.  The estimated
sales and operating profit for Plaskon for the six months
ended 30 June 1999 were £14 million and £3.4 million
respectively.  The acquisition, which will be debt funded,
is expected to be immediately earnings enhancing before
goodwill amortisation and earnings enhancing after goodwill
amortisation in 2000.

Commenting on the acquisition, Stephen Howard, Cookson Group
Chief Executive said:

'The acquisition of Plaskon, with its fast growing patented
products, is an exciting addition to our Electronics
division.  By combining Plaskon's product portfolio, their
impressive R&D capability and state-of-the-art facility in
Singapore with those of our Assembly Materials sector,
Cookson Electronics will achieve a strong position in the
high growth market for polymer compounds used by the
electronics industry.  Importantly, we will be able to
provide customers with enhanced product packages and will
reinforce both of our leadership positions in the high
growth, high technology BGA market.  Industry sources have
forecast BGA unit growth at over 40% per annum for the next
three years.

'The addition of Plaskon to our Electronics division, which
follows the £50 million disposal of TAM Ceramics announced
earlier this week, is a clear illustration of our strategy
of enhancing Cookson's offerings in its major markets, with
a firm emphasis on higher growth, technologically advanced
products, processes and services.'



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
Telephone: [phone]          Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]                Fax: [phone]