News Release

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 6, 2008--Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMAT) today announced that it has made a non-binding proposal to ASM International N.V. (NASDAQ:ASMI) for the possible acquisition by Applied Materials of the Atomic Layer Deposition and Chemical Vapor Deposition businesses of ASMI for a price up to a range of U.S. $400 million to U.S. $500 million, subject to due diligence. There is no assurance that a transaction will result from these discussions. Applied Materials undertakes no obligation to make any further disclosures regarding a possible transaction with ASMI.

This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to a possible transaction between Applied Materials and ASMI. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied, including, but not limited to, the information available to Applied Materials at this time, the possibility that no transaction will occur, and the timing and terms of any possible transaction. All forward-looking statements are based on management's estimates, projections and assumptions as of the date of this press release, and Applied Materials undertakes no obligation to update any such statements.

Applied Materials, Inc., is the global leader in Nanomanufacturing Technology(tm) solutions with a broad portfolio of innovative equipment, service and software products for the fabrication of semiconductor chips, flat panel displays, solar photovoltaic cells, flexible electronics and energy efficient glass. At Applied Materials, we apply Nanomanufacturing Technology to improve the way people live. Learn more at www.appliedmaterials.com.