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ISONICS Semiconductor Division Launches 300 Millimeter Large-Diameter Silicon Wafer Product Line; Large-Diameter Wafers Represent Fastest Growing Segment of Silicon Wafer Market
GOLDEN, Colo.
ISONICS Corporation
James E. Alexander, 303-279-7900
or
Investor Relations:
Trilogy Capital Partners, Inc.
Paul Karon, 800-592-6067
paul@trilogy-capital.com
ISONICS Corporation (NASDAQ:ISON), committed to the development of next-generation technology for the homeland security and semiconductor markets, announced the completion of a new manufacturing line for 300 millimeter diameter silicon wafers, in an effort to capitalize on what has become the fastest growing segment of the semiconductor wafer industry. The Company's new business will involve both the production of new test wafers and providing reclaim services.
"The 300 millimeter wafer format is the state-of-the-art in semiconductor manufacturing. Based on our discussions with domestic chip manufacturers, there appears to be strong demand for the products and services we are prepared to provide," said James Alexander, Chairman and CEO of ISONICS. "We are told that a very large part of the U.S. demand for 300 millimeter reclaim services is presently provided by Asian suppliers since there is insufficient domestic production capacity of high-quality wafers. We believe that this business is a particularly good fit for ISONICS since we have been working to position ourselves to provide the very top level of service and advanced products, where pricing is most attractive, especially in comparison to previous generations of smaller diameter wafers."
Due to the cost savings 300mm wafers provide chip manufacturers over smaller diameter wafers, the large-diameter segment has become the fastest growing segment of the silicon wafer market. The move into the 300mm market is a part of ISONICS' strategic plan to move its semiconductor segment toward profitability. The Company has just completed its investment in the necessary equipment which has been installed in the Company's Vancouver, Washington facility, and now has the capability to manufacture the 300mm test wafers and provide the reclaim services. The new equipment works as expected and significantly improves the Company's quality performance. The Company expects the first sales of 300mm products to begin in May.
ISONICS expects to continue to compete globally in the test wafer and reclaim services market, but would initially focus its 300mm efforts on U.S.-based chip manufacturers.
About ISONICS Corporation
ISONICS Corporation has three business divisions: (1) ISONICS Semiconductor, (2) ISONICS Life Sciences, and (3) ISONICS Homeland Security and Defense. ISONICS is a world leader in isotopically engineered materials and through its semiconductor division produces isotopically pure silicon-28 chemicals and wafers for the semiconductor industry. ISONICS' Life Sciences division markets and sells isotopes to the health care industry for the imaging and treatment of cancer. Stable isotopes can be thought of as ultra pure materials. This high degree of purification provides enhanced properties as compared to natural materials. Our efforts in the Homeland Security segment are nascent at the present time as we proceed to develop further our neutron-based detection technologies. Additional information may be obtained at the Company's Web site at ISONICS.com'>http://www.ISONICS.com. For more investor-specific information, including daily and historical Company stock quote data and recent news releases, please visit ISONICS'>http://www.trilogy-capital.com/tcp/ISONICS. To read or download the Company's Investor Fact Sheet, visit ISONICS/factsheet.html'>http://www.trilogy-capital.com/tcp/ISONICS/factsheet.html. A presentation about ISONICS' NeutroTest(TM) explosive detection prototype can be found at ISONICS/presentation.html'>http://www.trilogy-capital.com/tcp/ISONICS/presentation.html. A video demonstrating the functioning NeutroTest prototype can be viewed at ISONICS/video.html'>http://www.trilogy-capital.com/tcp/ISONICS/video.html.
Cautionary Statement
Except for historical information contained herein, this document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the Company's actual results or outcomes to be materially different from those anticipated and discussed herein. Further, the Company operates in industries where securities values may be volatile and may be influenced by regulatory and other factors beyond the Company's control. Other important factors that the Company believes might cause such differences are discussed in the risk factors detailed in the Company's 10-KSB for the year ended April 30, 2004, and its quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the nine months ended January 31, 2005, both as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which include the Company's historical cash flow difficulties, dependence on significant customers, and rapid development of technology, among other risks. In assessing forward-looking statements contained herein, readers are urged to carefully read all cautionary statements contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. ISONICS cautions investors that there are currently no commercial NeutroTest products, and no guarantee there will be. ISONICS has made no NeutroTest sales and no government agency or other person has expressed an interest in purchasing NeutroTest. There can be no assurance that ISONICS will be able to manufacture the NeutroTest for the market at a cost and with capabilities that meet the needs of prospective customers.
This announcement may contain forward-looking statements made by senior management of ISONICS that involve risks and uncertainties, such as statements about plans, objectives, expectations, assumptions or future events. These statements involve estimates, assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and performances, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Actual future results and trends may differ materially from those made in -- or suggested by -- statements made in this announcement due to a variety of factors. Consequently, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements made in this announcement. For more information about ISONICS and risks arising from investing in ISONICS, you are directed to the Company's most recent Form 10-KSB filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
