Siltronic and Samsung start joint production of 300 mm wafers in Singapore

- Plant officially commissioned after only 18 months of construction

- Target capacity of 300,000 wafers a month

- A US$1 billion investment

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Singapore (euro adhoc) - June 19, 2008 - Siltronic Samsung Wafer Pte.
Ltd., a joint venture of Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. and Siltronic
AG, today commissioned a new fab in Singapore for the production of
300 mm wafers. The facility officially started operation in an
opening ceremony attended by Singapore´s Prime Minister Lee Hsien
Loong. After only 18 months of construction, Samsung Electronics, a
leader in advanced semiconductor technology, and Siltronic, a
subsidiary of Germany´s chemical group Wacker Chemie AG, now own one
of the world´s largest and most advanced factories for 300 mm wafers.
By 2010, the joint venture should reach a monthly capacity of 300,000
wafers and provide over 800 jobs. The overall investment in this
project amounts to US$1 billion.

In his speech, Siltronic CEO and Wacker Chemie AG Executive Board
member Wilhelm Sittenthaler emphasized the joint venture´s strategic
importance: "Today´s commissioning is a key milestone in further
expanding our presence on Asia´s growth markets. Siltronic Samsung
Wafer´s ability to complete this new plant on schedule and in record
time underscores the joint venture´s engineering expertise and the
outstanding collaborative strength between Samsung Electronics and
Siltronic."

Oh-Hyun Kwon, president of Samsung Electronics´ Semiconductor
Business division, expressed particular appreciation with the
punctual start of production in Singapore: "The new 300 mm wafer
fabrication plant is a result of the strong local support from
Singapore´s Economic Development Board and the technology expertise
of our partner, Siltronic. Together with Siltronic, Samsung
anticipates Siltronic Samsung Wafer to play a significant role as a
steady source of quality 300mm wafers at a time of rapid growth in
the 300 mm wafer market segment."

"I congratulate the management and staff of Siltronic and Samsung who
have worked together to bring this joint venture about, and to
implement this project so expeditiously. This plant is a key addition
to our vibrant semiconductor ecosystem", said Singapore's Prime
Minister Mr. Lee Hsien Loong. "It will extend Singapore´s
semiconductor value chain, and bring us to the next level of wafering
technology. The long-term prospect for the semiconductor industry
remains bright and Singapore has positioned itself to take full
advantage of this and remain a major manufacturing location in Asia
for electronics and semiconductors."

Company Profile - Samsung Electronics Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media
and digital convergence technologies with 2007 consolidated sales of
US$103.4 billion. Employing approximately 150,000 people in 134
offices in 62 countries, the company consists of four main business
units: Digital Media Business, LCD Business, Semiconductor Business,
and Telecommunication Business. Recognized as one of the fastest
growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of
digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more
information, please visit www.samsung.com.

Company Profile - Siltronic Siltronic AG - a subsidiary of Wacker
Chemie AG - is a global leader in the market for hyperpure silicon
wafers and a partner to many top-tier chip manufacturers. Our
production facilities in Europe, the USA, Asia and Japan develop and
manufacture wafers with diameters of up to 300 mm. Silicon wafers
form the basis of modern micro and nanoelectronics. They are used,
for instance, in computers, cellphones, the internet, DVD players,
flat-panel displays, navigation systems, airbags, computer tomography
equipment, aircraft control systems and many other applications. To
find out more, visit www.siltronic.com.

Company Profile - Siltronic Samsung Wafer Siltronic Samsung Wafer
Pte. Ltd. is a joint venture between two global giants in their
respective fields Siltronic and Samsung. Siltronic Samsung Wafer
operates the first 300 mm wafer production fab in Singapore and also
houses Singapore´s first 300 mm crystal growing facility. Its new
production complex is located in Tampines Industrial Park in
Singapore, built with an investment of US$1 billion and the support
of the Economic Development Board of Singapore. This makes the joint
venture one of the top five investments in Singapore in 2006. By
2010, Siltronic Samsung Wafer expects to reach a monthly capacity of
300,000 wafers and to provide over 800 jobs.

This press release contains forward-looking statements based on
assumptions and estimates of the executive boards of WACKER,
Siltronic and Samsung Electronics. Although we assume the
expectations in these forward-looking statements are realistic, we
cannot guarantee they will prove to be correct. The assumptions may
harbor risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual figures to
differ considerably from the forward-looking statements. Factors that
may cause such discrepancies include, among other things, changes in
the economic and business environment, variations in exchange and
interest rates, the introduction of competing products, lack of
acceptance for new products or services, and changes in corporate
strategy. WACKER, Siltronic and Samsung do not plan to update the
forward-looking statements, nor do they assume the obligation to do
so.

end of announcement euro adhoc
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ots Originaltext: Wacker Chemie AG
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Further inquiry note:

Wacker Chemie AG

Christof Bachmair

Tel.: +49 (0)89 6279 1830

E-Mail: christof.bachmair@wacker.com

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd

Sunghae Park

Tel.: +82 31 209 7037

E-Mail: sunghae_park@samsung.com

Siltronic AG

Kai Knitter

Tel.: +49 (0)89 8564 3210

E-Mail: kai.knitter@siltronic.com

Branche: Chemicals
ISIN: DE000WCH8881
WKN: WCH888
Index: Midcap Market Index, MDAX, CDAX, Classic All Share, HDAX,
Prime All Share
Börsen: Börse Frankfurt / regulated dealing/prime standard