BILTHOVEN, The Netherlands, March 1, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- ASM International N.V. (Nasdaq:ASMI) (Euronext Stock Exchange in Amsterdam:ASM) and its subsidiary, ASM America, Phoenix, announced today that Motorola Semiconductor Products Sector has selected the ASM Epsilon E2000(tm) as the silicon germanium carbon (SiGe:C) epitaxy deposition equipment for its next-generation leadership RF BiCMOS technology. Early development work for the SiGe:C epitaxial process on the ASM Epsilon reactor was done jointly by Motorola and a German research institute at Motorola's DigitalDNA(tm) Laboratories in Mesa, Ariz. Motorola's first-generation RF BiCMOS technology is a 0.35 micron process with SiGe:C and integrated RF passive modules. The technology has recently completed qualification, and is currently being used for several standard and custom designs.
Motorola's next-generation RF BiCMOS process is a leadership technology aimed at advanced system-on-chip solutions for the wireless market. It will integrate a SiGe:C module, for which Motorola is now installing the Epsilon E2000 reactor at its MOS12 facility in Chandler, Ariz. "We believe ASM's demonstrated SiGe process capability, our close cooperation with ASM's Process Applications Laboratory, and our expertise and experience in process integration will allow us to achieve aggressive product performance while maintaining a tight introduction schedule," said Roc Blumenthal, director of the Advanced Module Integration and Development Laboratories for Motorola. "The selection of the Epsilon E2000 was strongly influenced by its large installed base of SiGe users and ASM's broad experience with a wide range of silicon germanium epitaxial processing. Our ability to use readily available equipment to process wafers makes this new technology quite cost-effective as well."
Dr. Armand P. Ferro, ASM's Epitaxial Business Unit Manager, stated, "The entire ASM Epitaxial Team that won this order is gratified by Motorola's selection of the Epsilon reactor for its most advanced SiGe:C high-frequency device products. Our continuous process and equipment improvement programs give the Epsilon a continuing competitive advantage in advanced silicon epitaxial device applications. Our team will continue to focus on extending that competitive edge for the benefit of all our customers."
ASM is a world-class supplier of single-wafer epitaxial tools and related semiconductor process equipment. ASM has been building and selling epitaxial reactors since 1987 and its Epsilon reactors are used in mass production by all major semiconductor device manufacturers and wafer suppliers worldwide.
ASM International is headquartered in Bilthoven, the Netherlands. ASM International's subsidiaries design, develop, manufacture and market equipment and materials used to produce semiconductor devices. ASM International and its subsidiaries provide production solutions for the wafer-processing, assembly and packaging segments through their facilities in the United States, Europe, Japan and Asia. ASM International's common shares trade on NASDAQ National Market under the symbol "ASMI" and on the Euronext Stock Exchange in Amsterdam under the symbol "ASM". More information on ASM can be found on its website at www.asm.com.
Safe Harbor Statement under the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The statements regarding orders, earnings development and the effects of research and new products on ASM's future, and other matters discussed in this statement, except for any historical data, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These include, but are not limited to economic conditions in the semiconductor industry, currency fluctuations, the timing of significant orders, market acceptance of new products, competitive factors, risk factors related to litigation and other risks indicated in filings from time to time with the SEC and Stock Exchange Authorities.