ASTeX Acquires Sorbios GmbH; Establishes Strategic Position in Europe; Expands Ozone Product Offering.

WOBURN, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 1, 1997--Applied Science and Technology, Inc. ("ASTeX") (Nasdaq: ASTX) today announced that it has acquired Sorbios GmbH of Berlin, Germany in an all cash transaction totaling $4 million. Upon the closing of the transaction, Sorbios will be renamed ASTeX Sorbios GmbH.

Sorbios, a privately-held company, is a leading European developer of ozone generators and air ionizers for semiconductor production. For fiscal year 1996, Sorbios recorded revenues of $3.4 million and has grown revenues at a rate of more than 50% per year over the past three years. ASTeX expects to take a non-recurring expense for Sorbios' in- process research and development, which will be accounted for in the second quarter of fiscal 1998. The transaction is expected to be accretive to annual earnings excluding the one-time write-off.

Dr. Richard Post, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "The strategic acquisition of Sorbios is an important step for ASTeX, as it establishes a base of operation for ASTeX in the important European market. In addition, the acquisition expands our existing product lines and customer base, as well as our applications expertise, engineering, product development, manufacturing, and distribution capabilities.

"We continually seek out ways to expand our market share, and feel the acquisition of Sorbios is another step in achieving a leading position in the worldwide ozone equipment industry, both in wet bench and TEOS/ozone processing."

Dr. Post concluded, "The acquisition will greatly strengthen the infrastructure of Sorbios and significantly enhance its abilities to serve its customers on a global basis, especially in the U.S. Thus, both companies benefit as all of our customers will be better served."

ASTeX is a leading provider of innovative production technology for the manufacture of advanced semiconductor devices. ASTeX markets its plasma sources and subsystems, ozone generators and subsystems, and specialty power sources to the world's leading semiconductor capital equipment manufacturers. ASTeX markets the same underlying core technology for medical, electro-optic and synthetic diamond applications.

"Safe Harbor" statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This release contains forward looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the impact of competitive products and pricing, product demand and market acceptance, new product development, reliance on key strategic alliances, availability of raw materials, the regulatory environment, fluctuations in operating results and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

CONTACT: Applied Science and Technology, Inc., Woburn

John Tarrh

Senior Vice President and Chief

Financial Officer

[phone]

or

Investor Relations Contact:

Donna N. Stein, APR/Dan Durkin/Keil Decker

Morgen-Walke Associates, Inc., New York 

[phone]

Press Contact: Lee Foley/Ann Travers

Morgen-Walke Associates, Inc., New York

[phone]