Alembic is a data format that saves geometry and animation data.
3ds Max does not export particle systems to Alembic files, or import particle systems from them.
You can use Alembic files to exchange scenes and animations with other applications, including Autodesk Maya and Autodesk Softimage. The Alembic format saves baked animation data. This preserves accurate animation in an efficient format. The Alembic format can also save animation that changes the topology of objects—for example, animating the Segments setting of a geometric primitive.
For technical information about Alembic, see http://code.google.com/p/alembic/.