News Release

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Jun 15, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMAT) announces that its non-binding proposal to the Supervisory Board of ASM International N.V. (NASDAQ:ASMI) for the possible acquisition of ASMI's ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition) and CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) businesses remains open, despite the Supervisory Board's recent rejection of the offer and counter-reply. Applied Materials' proposal reflects a purchase price of between U.S. $400 million and U.S. $500 million in cash for these businesses, subject to due diligence.

Applied Materials believes that completion of a transaction along the lines of its proposal would provide substantial value to ASMI and its shareholders, customers and employees.

-- Among other things, the transaction would provide value well in excess of the negative value which has been attributed to ASMI's entire front end business for significant periods during the past three years and infuse a significant amount of cash into ASMI that could be used for the benefit of ASMI's stakeholders.

-- Applied Materials believes that the strategic fit with Applied Materials uniquely enables it to deliver the best value for the businesses.

-- Applied Materials believes that it would provide an excellent environment for the businesses for the benefit of customers, employees and other stakeholders.

Applied Materials welcomes the statement made by ASMI's Supervisory Board regarding its willingness to explore possible alternative arrangements between ASMI and Applied Materials. Applied Materials has a strong interest in meeting with ASMI early this week to discuss possible transactions, including its proposed transaction, to begin due diligence and to arrive at a solution that delivers the most compelling value to ASMI and its stakeholders. By working collaboratively, Applied Materials believes that the parties could reach final agreement and an executed transaction in a matter of weeks.

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, and other risks described in Applied Materials' SEC filings. 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, services and software products for the fabrication of semiconductor chips, flat panels, 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.

SOURCE: Applied Materials, Inc.

Applied Materials, Inc.
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