DANBURY, Conn., Dec. 4, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- ATMI, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATMI) today announced it has entered into an agreement with IBM to jointly develop and demonstrate advanced chemical formulations for highly implanted photoresist strip applications that will allow the design and production of next-generation semiconductor devices targeting 45-nanometer and future device manufacturing processes.
Under the agreement, ATMI will add its semiconductor materials and process experience to IBM's leading-edge integrated circuit design and manufacturing knowledge. Together, ATMI and IBM will work to integrate new materials and thin film processes to more quickly and effectively address the challenges faced in advanced integrated circuit production.
"New materials are driving integrated circuit performance," said Tod Higinbotham, Executive Vice President, Process Solutions for ATMI. "Our collaboration with IBM will benefit both companies as we seek to create and commercialize next-generation materials and leading-edge semiconductor processes for ever-more-powerful devices. We are addressing specific materials issues that are plaguing the semiconductor industry worldwide today-and those that will become obstacles in the future."
"IBM believes that process and material improvements will make a significant contribution to the future of the semiconductor industry," said Dr. Ronald D. Goldblatt, Distinguished Engineer and Senior Manager, IBM Research. "Our joint development work combines our strengths in developing successful materials solutions for leading edge device applications."
The joint development activities will take place at ATMI's headquarters and laboratories in Danbury, Connecticut and at IBM's Watson Research Center in Yorktown Heights, New York.
ATMI provides specialty materials and high-purity materials handling and delivery solutions to the worldwide semiconductor industry. For more information, please visit atmi.com.
Statements contained herein that relate to ATMI's future performance, including, without limitation, statements with respect to ATMI's anticipated results of operations or level of business for 2007 or any other future period, are forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based on current expectations only and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, including, but not limited to, changes in semiconductor industry growth (including, without limitation, wafer starts) or ATMI's markets; competition, problems, or delays developing and commercializing new products; problems or delays in integrating acquired operations and businesses; and other factors described in ATMI's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. ATMI undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.