| EV Group, a global supplier of wafer bonding and lithography equipment, has received several significant orders from Asia-based companies and institutions for equipment used in the development of nanotechnology and micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS). EV Group equipment is now operational at several facilities and installations of systems for additional research and development (R&D) centers in the region are scheduled. EV Group's rise in orders from Asia-Pacific companies mirrors the emergence of the region as a center for nanotechnology research. According to ATIP/Tokyo, total spending for Asia-Pacific governments has exceeded $1 billion (U.S.) during each of the last two years. The spending is expected to continue to increase as nano-based companies and applications expand in the region. Similarly, orders from Asia-based facilities for equipment with nanotechnology applications have risen 52 percent in the past 12 months for EV Group. The Korean government, with a strong tradition of innovation and research, has augmented its annual budgets for nanotechnology research, particularly in the areas of BioMEMS applications. This increase is reflected in the recent orders and system installations by EV Group, including: - Micro Biochip Center at Hanyang University, Ansan Technopark in Kyunggi-do. At Micro Biochip Center, the first research institute and foundry for BioMEMS in Korea, EV Group has successfully installed an EVG precision alignment system for double-side lithography and bond alignment and hot embossing system with substrate bonding capabilities.
- KAIST, National Nano Fab Center in Daejeon. EV Group has signed a contract with KAIST, a leader in nanoelectronics devices, for the installation of a precision alignment system for double-side lithography, a hot embossing system and a spray coating system. The EVG systems will be operational by October 2004.
Another area of burgeoning development of nanotechnology and microfluidic research is Singapore. Accordingly, EV Group has received orders from: - Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) in Singapore. IBN, founded in 2002 to conduct research at the cutting-edge, has ordered an EVG combined system for spin coating, spray coating and developing; a precision alignment system for double-side lithography; and a manual wafer bonding system. EV Group plans to begin installation in June 2004.
China is another market that EV Group has successfully penetrated. Often referred to as the largest potential microelectronics market, China has committed government funding for MEMS development. EV Group has successfully completed installation at a leading research center: - Tsinghua-Foxconn Nanotechnology Center at National Tsinghua University (NTHU) in Beijing. One of the first orders for EV Group in the area, the system has been in operation since June 2003. Equipment includes a resist coating system, a develop system, a cleaner, a precision alignment system for double-side lithography and a hot embossing and nanoimprinting system.
"As Asia is emerging as the center for nanotechnology research, EV Group is emerging as the equipment supplier of choice," said Dr. Peter Podesser, CEO of EV Group. "These recent orders demonstrate the strength of our equipment - and our reputation as a supplier that is consistently up to the challenge of meeting the varying needs of our customers. These orders demonstrate our capabilities to anticipate and react immediately to changes in these fast-growing markets - from volume production issues to the highest levels of research and development." |