Following extensive trials of Acta's HYPERMEC catalysts for both Alkaline Membrane Fuel Cells (AMFCs) and for ammonia electrolysers, a major global OEM based in Asia has today entered into a three party development agreement for the further development and optimisation of Acta's catalysts for use in a number of specified commercial applications. Under the terms of this agreement, the OEM, Sumitomo Corporation and Acta will jointly fund specific development activities over an initial sixteen month period, to be extended by mutual agreement. The contract will start on 1 December 2007, with a total contribution by Sumitomo and the OEM of €0.6m in the initial four months, Acta's contribution largely being provided in the form of facilities and management support. The details of the programme for the following twelve months will be agreed in the first quarter of 2008.

Target applications and a route to market have been identified and the development programme will focus on accelerating the potential commercial launch of products containing Acta's innovative catalysts.

Acta already has the production capacity in place to meet the requirements of the development contract and is increasing its recruitment of researchers to provide additional technical resources both for the contract and for other research and development activities.

The OEM cannot currently be identified due to an agreement between the parties that this partnership should not be disclosed until technical qualification for at least one of the specified target end products has been achieved.

Paolo Bert, Chief Executive, commented:

"We are delighted to announce our first revenue earning, commercial contract with one of the world's leading manufacturers and our partners Sumitomo Corporation. The contract has clearly identified commercial applications and an identified route to market. The contract marks the next big step for Acta towards the large scale commercialisation of its HYPERMEC catalysts into potentially very significant markets."