Alfa Aesar China

Ward Hill, MA – March 6, 2006 - Alfa Aesar, a Johnson Matthey Company, has signed a joint business venture with Phentex Inc., called Alfa Aesar China. The business will begin on April 1, 2006. Alfa Aesar China will be led by Brian Cobb, Director, Research Chemicals Asia. The facility is a 3,000 square meter (27, 000 square foot) warehouse stocking enough materials to supply most of Asia. The warehouse is located in the Tianjin Economic and Technical Development Area, two hours southeast of Beijing. The main office is in Beijing. Phentex is contributing 40 employees, including 34 outside sales people. Alfa Aesar is contributing our name, catalog, marketing, operations, and systems expertise, products and reputation.

Alfa Aesar China will inherit the existing Phentex business with revenues of about •600K and will grow the business from there.