Extended licence agreement

RNS Number:2845T
3DM Worldwide PLC
16 December 2003


Press Release                                                   16 December 2003

                     Extended tyre sensor licence agreement


3DM Worldwide plc ("3DM"), a leader in plastics technology intellectual
property, announces that it has signed a supplemental agreement with Transense
Technologies plc ("Transense") to extend the scope of the field-of-use allowed
under its tyre sensor licence agreement.

Transense has developed a type of tyre sensor based on Surface Acoustic Wave ("
SAW") technology.  3DM has a non-exclusive licence on this sensor technology,
although Transense has also agreed that it will not grant a similar licence to
any company whose primary business is wheel manufacturing before 30 September
2004.

From 1 January 2004 it will be mandatory for tyre sensors to be attached to all
vehicles manufactured in the USA that weigh 10,000 pounds or less.  This
legislation has been driven by a mixture of safety and environmental concerns.
Tyre problems are one of the most common causes of vehicle breakdowns, while
hundreds of thousands of accidents each year in the USA are attributed to low
tyre pressures.  Under inflated tyres also produce greater road resistance, more
rapid tyre wear and higher fuel consumption.  SAW sensors deliver accurate
pressure readings quickly and directly to the driver, they are small and
inexpensive to manufacture, and they do not need batteries.

On 24 November 2003, 3DM announced that, with the consent of Transense, it had
agreed to grant to Global Tech International Inc. ("GTII") a sub-licence for the
use of the SAW tyre sensor technology.  Under that agreement, GTII will pay
#150,000 to 3DM as well as a royalty equal to 115% of the royalty payable by 3DM
to Transense under the terms of the head licence.  The sub-licence will apply
for the duration of the head licence, which is for the life of the patents and
know-how and of any improvements, but only to the NAFTA area, with 3DM retaining
rights to the rest of the world

3DM's original licence agreement with Transense restricted 3DM and hence GTII to
only using sensors that were moulded into the actual wheel.  This new agreement
extends the potential field-of-use to any part of an overall wheel, and this
change could be of particular advantage to GTII which is currently in
discussions with one of the leading US automotive groups.

3DM will pay #50,000 to Transense for widening the head licence's field-of-use,
and 3DM will in turn receive #100,000 from GTII for extending the field-of-use
change to the sub-licence agreement.  This increases to #250,000 the fee to be
paid by GTII to 3DM, with all royalty and other terms and conditions of 3DM's
sub-licence agreement with GTII remaining unchanged.  In addition, also as
announced on 24 November 2003, GTII is currently being acquired by Longborough
Capital plc which is 20% owned by 3DM.

Ken Brooks, Chairman of 3DM Worldwide plc said: "With the imminent introduction
of new tyre sensor legislation in the USA, this agreement could be extremely
valuable for GTII in its discussions with a major US auto company and, in
addition to the additional sub-licence fee, 3DM would directly benefit from any
contract wins through both royalty income and our 20% stake in Longborough."

James Perry, Chief Executive of Transense said: "I am very pleased that 3DM has
requested the extension of the scope of its tyre pressure monitoring licence to
include sensors attached to the wheel and to the valve.  We have been testing a
new in-valve system developed over the past year and, having successfully
demonstrated it to 3DM recently, 3DM has decided to broaden its licence to
enable 3DM's sub-licensee to progress its discussions with a leading US
automotive manufacturer."

Further information about 3DM can be found at the new website -
www.3dmworldwide.com

                                    - Ends -


For further information:

 3DM Worldwide plc
 Ken Brooks, Chairman                                   Tel: [phone]
 [e-mail]                                      www.3dmworldwide.com

 Transense Technologies plc
 James Perry, Chief Executive                           Tel: [phone]
 [e-mail]                                 www.transense.co.uk

Media enquiries - 3DM:
 Bankside Consultants Limited                          Tel: [phone]
 Ariane Vacher / Chris Munden
 [e-mail]                                     www.bankside.com

Media enquiries - Transense:
 Redleaf Communications                               Tel:  [phone]
 Emma Kane / Nick Lambert
 [e-mail]                                              www.redleafpr.com

 
Notes to editors



3DM Worldwide plc

3DM Worldwide plc is a leader in plastics technology intellectual property, and
was admitted to AIM in October 2002.

3DM acquired two plastics manufacturing processes in 2001: Powder Impression
Moulding ("PIM") and 3-Dimensional Blow Moulding, the latter giving 3DM its
name.

The PIM process allows the production of a strengthened plastic composite that
has the strength and other comparable properties of metal.  It is a low pressure
moulding process suitable for the production of very large parts.  There are
many varied applications in industry where there is a need for overall strength
and rigidity combined with weight savings.  Significant capital and tooling
savings can be made, because the methodology of the process utilises a
non-pressure method.  There are many and varied potential PIM applications and
it is ideal for those wishing to produce parts that may be large, light weight
and durable.  Specific applications include manufacturing of a wide range of
products in high volume global markets such as Building Products, Construction,
Automotive, Marine, Aviation, and White Goods.

3DM's strategy with the PIM process is to offer this technology as an
alternative means of making large complex moulds, but also as a means of
replacing alternative materials like metal or fibreglass.  3DM also believes
that the PIM process offers the potential for a significant rise in the use of
recycled material to make a product which itself would be recyclable at the end
of its useful life.

The 3-Dimensional Blow Moulding process facilitates the manufacture of complex
components or component sub-assemblies of differing materials in a single mould.
  This reduces the number of parts in manufacturing, creating significant cost
savings through diminished labour operations and attendant costs as well as a
reduction in the weight of cumulative parts.  In addition, there is the
opportunity to add non-plastic materials, and to vary the formula appropriate to
customer requirements.  Most of the exploratory work with this process has been
with the automotive industry, where there is a constant need for more complex
assemblies.  This also applies to the medical industry, where similar
opportunities exist, but with a wider spectrum of products.

3DM is not a manufacturing company.  3DM exploits its Intellectual Property
assets through licencing agreements and subsequent royalty revenues.  In some
cases, 3DM also takes a minority equity stake in the licensee company.  This
business model offers a low cost entry into target markets with significant
upside potential, but without the intense capital investment of developing a
design and manufacturing function.

Prior to 3DM's involvement in polymers, its main businesses were industrial
activities in the Kyrgyz Republic.  These have been reduced, but 3DM retains a
small industrial portfolio and an interest in a woollen mill.


Transense Technologies plc

*   Transense was founded in 1991 and its shares were listed on AIM in 1999;
*   Transense's technology is divided into two business streams:  Torque 
    measurement and Pressure measurement;
*   Current licensees of Transense's technology include SmarTire, 3DM, Michelin, 
    Honeywell, Melexis Microelectronic Integrated Systems NV, Temex Microsonics, 
    Tai-Saw and TT electronics;
*   Further information on Transense is available at the Company's website at 
    www.transense.co.uk

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            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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