RNS Number:0427N
Biotrace International PLC
02 July 2003


For Immediate Release:                                   07:00 am, 2nd July 2003



                         BIOTRACE INTERNATIONAL PLC

              EXPANSION OF EUROPEAN DISTRIBUTION ORGANISATION
           through acquisition of a Danish supplier of specialist
                    microbiology and life science products


Biotrace International Plc ('Biotrace', the "Company" or the "Group"), a leading
manufacturer and provider of specialised products and services for microbiology
and life sciences, today announces that it has acquired Maltec ApS ('Maltec').
Based in Copenhagen Denmark, Maltec supplies a range of microbiology and life
science products, including the Group's Ruskinn product range, to the food,
pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.

The acquisition of Maltec continues the Group's strategy of gaining direct
customer access in major geographies and strengthens the Company's position in
the Scandinavian market. Together with Biotrace's existing European sales
subsidiaries the Group's products can be sold directly in the UK, France,
Denmark, Sweden and Norway. The Scandinavian market has assumed greater
importance to the Group due to the high concentration of pharmaceutical
companies in the region as well as a large dairy industry.


For the year ended 30 June 2002, Maltec achieved sales of DKK6.5M (#0.61M) and
made a pre-tax profit of DKK0.2M (#0.02M). Maltec had approximate net
liabilities of DKK1.1M (#0.11M) at the date of acquisition. The consideration
for Maltec has been satisfied by an initial cash payment of #1, with the Company
assuming Maltec's existing liabilities, including a director's loan of DKK0.7M
(#0.07M). There is potential for Biotrace to pay an additional cash sum of up to
#0.43M by 2006, depending on Maltec's business meeting certain performance
milestones.  Maltec's founder, Mr Malte Jacobsen will continue to run the
business and will receive an incentive by way of a warrant for 50,000 ordinary
shares in Biotrace at 118.5p exercisable between 2006 and 2010.


Ian Johnson, Chief Executive of Biotrace, commented:

"The Group is making good progress in its plans to invest in direct customer
access in major European markets and to leverage relationships with key
customers. This strategy will enable Biotrace to expand the range of products
offered, making the Group a 'one stop shop' for innovative microbiology
products.   I look forward to building on the progress made by Mr Jacobsen and
the staff of Maltec and establishing a leading position in the Scandinavian
market.


"With respect to the first half of 2003, as expected, the Group has experienced
strong growth in sales and profits over the same period in 2002, through a
combination of organic growth, acquisitions and increased defence sales.
Management anticipate that the Group's performance overall for the year remains
in line with expectations."



                                    - ENDS -



For further information, please contact:

Biotrace International
Ian Johnson, Chief Executive Officer                   Tel: +44 (0) 1656 641 400
Peter Morgan, Finance Director

Buchanan Communications                                Tel: +44 (0) 20 7466 5000
Nicola How / James Strong





Notes to editors:

Biotrace International Plc is a leading manufacturer and supplier of rapid
microbiology instrumentation and test reagents to food, industrial, healthcare
and defence markets.  Biotrace is the acknowledged leader in rapid hygiene
testing and the continuous real-time detection of airborne biological weapons.

Many of the world's leading food manufacturers and catering companies, including
19 out of the top 20 world food groups now rely on Biotrace as an essential part
of their quality procedures. Industrial customers include many of the world's
largest water treatment chemical multi-nationals.  Biotrace also supplies highly
specialised products to pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, public health
laboratories and medical research institutes for the detection of hazardous
micro-organisms and diseases.   A significant part of the Company's business is
the manufacture and supply of equipment and reagents to the UK MoD for the
detection of biological weapons.

Formed in 1988 and floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1993, Biotrace
intends to continue to broaden its business base through organic growth and
acquisition of products and technologies to become a 'one stop shop' for its
large and growing customer base.


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

ACQILFVDDSILIIV