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	ChemUnity closes 8 M Euro second financing round with Gilde IT Fund and 3i Arnhem, The Netherlands, January 2001 - ChemUnity.com, Europe's leading chemical e-marketplace has closed its second round of financing with lead investor 3i, (UK) and initial investor Gilde IT Fund, (NL). This funding provides ChemUnity with adequate means to continue to develop its e-marketplace that has already attracted several hundred registered chemical suppliers and users during its first half year of operation. "I see the successful completion of this financing round as a major achievement for the company, given the recent scarcity of funds in the world of e-commerce" stated Peter Vogtländer, Chairman of ChemUnity's Supervisory Board. "It is a vote of confidence by Gilde and 3i in ChemUnity's unique B2B concept for chemicals." "The funding will allow ChemUnity to concentrate on the continued development of the business", says ChemUnity's CEO Herman Rijks. "In the chemicals arena e-commerce is not so much about matching unknown buyers and sellers, it is more about creating tools that enhance effectiveness and efficiency and consequently improve service levels and reduce costs. We will therefore use part of the new funds to develop our next generation of software which will further enhance the e-procurement functionality for all participants in the supply chain." Guus Overdijkink of 3i Europe plc Benelux commented: "One of the most important reasons for 3i's investment in ChemUnity is the experience of the founders, the Board and the management team. They all have extensive knowledge of chemical marketplaces. Furthermore the company can benefit from 3i's experience and international network." About ChemUnity: ChemUnity is the Europe's leading e-marketplace for chemicals, actively trading products such as caustic soda, solvents and acids. Founded late 1999, it has followed a strategy of activating one product at a time, visiting all suppliers before informing the potential buyers (over 800 producers, traders and consumers visited to date, of which 350+ have registered). It employs 32 professionals with over 500 years of combined chemical-industry expertise, in eight countries throughout Europe. ChemUnity's current status places it in pole position to offer complete e-procurement functionalities to connect buyers of chemicals with suppliers and other marketplaces alike. About 3i: 3i Group plc is Europe's leading venture capital company. The Group invests in ambitious, growing businesses in all sectors. It provides funding for early stage, growth, management buy-outs and management buy-ins. 3i operates in nine European countries and has two offices in Asia and two in the USA. Overall, 3i has invested almost £13 billion in more than 13,500 businesses and currently has a portfolio of investments in around 3,000 companies. About Gilde IT Fund: Gilde IT Fund is managed by Gilde Investment Management, a leading global venture capital investor, with over $1 billion under management. Gilde IT Fund is a dedicated fund, focused on providing worldwide funding and support to Software, Communications and e-Commerce & Internet Services companies in various stages of development. For more information: ChemUnity: Herman Rijks, tel.: +31 26 844 6000 3i Europe plc Benelux: Guus Overdijkink, tel.: +31 20 305 7444 Gilde IT Fund: Erik Aeyelts Averink, tel.: +31 30 219 2545