Hynix Reduces Cost of Ownership With Praxair MRC's Extended-Life Targets.

Business Editors

ORANGEBURG, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 28, 2001

MRC, a division of Praxair Surface Technologies, Inc., has received validation of the significant cost-of-ownership advantages of its RE-Al and RE-Ti, extended-life sputtering targets from Hynix Semiconductor, Inc. (formerly Hyundai Electronic Industries).

"Our average sputtering target lifetime has increased 60%-65% using the RE-Al," according to Hyen Chel Kim, purchasing manager at Hynix. "Given our success at numerous fabs, we are evaluating additional compositions for use with 6" and 8" wafers with the goal of using it in all of our fabs, worldwide." He went on to state that "with the current market conditions, the RE-Al and RE-Ti from MRC have enabled Hynix to meet ambitious cost objectives."

With the semiconductor industry aggressively cutting costs, the RE-Al and complementary RE-Ti products provide a way to achieve a quantum-step reduction in materials spending. "We have built up a strong customer base for the RE-Al and generated considerable in-depth data which proves that our unique, patents-pending designs provide lower cost of ownership verses standard OEM designs," said Dr. Dan Marx, MRC's director of technical marketing. He added, "These extended life products offer wafer fabs considerable savings on sputtering target expenditures, and provide productivity improvements and increased PVD tool availability."

MRC, a division of Praxair Surface Technologies, Inc. manufactures sputtering targets and evaporative materials for use in advanced technology applications such as semiconductor devices and inkjet printer heads. Headquartered in Orangeburg, New York, the division operates sales offices globally and manufacturing sites in the United States, France, and Korea. Capacity expansions for all manufacturing sites are currently underway to meet increased customer demand. For more information about MRC products, visit www.praxairMRC.com on the Internet.

Praxair, Inc. (NYSE:PX), the parent company of Praxair Surface Technologies, is the largest industrial gases company in North and South America, and one of the largest worldwide, with 2000 sales of $5 billion. The company produces, sells and distributes atmospheric and process gases, and high-performance surface coatings. Praxair products, services and technology bring productivity and environmental benefits to a wide variety of industries, including aerospace, food and beverage, healthcare, semiconductor materials, steel, chemicals and refining, metal fabrication, water treatment, glass and others. More information on Praxair is available on the Internet at www.praxair.com.