CATALYST SEMICONDUCTOR INTRODUCES LEAD and HALOGEN FREE PACKAGES

Catalyst Semiconductor has introduced environment friendly, lead-free packages for its EEPROM memory and mixed-sgnal integrated circuit products.

Sunnyvale, Calif. (PRWEB) June 16, 2002 -- Catalyst Semiconductor (Nasdaq: CATS), a major worldwide EEPROM memory supplier, announced today its environmentally safe lead free package initiative. Catalyst now offers lead free packages for its popular SPI, I2C® and Microwire serial EEPROM memory integrated circuits. The new lead free packages are an environment friendly alternative to lead-based packages.

Catalyst can now support OEMs with fully qualified, lead–free packages", said Catalyst Director of Quality Dan Terry. This is especially important for customers in Japan and Europe. Lead free packages are becoming a primary purchasing requirement for major electronic system suppliers, and Catalyst plans to lead the industry with lead free package innovation."

Catalyst Semiconductor has partnered with Orient Semiconductor Electronics (OSE), a prominent supplier of semiconductor manufacturing services with operations in the Philippines, for lead free package technology. We are very pleased Catalyst has been one of the early adopters of our lead free assembly and packaging technology", said S. K. Chew, president of OSE. Our technology and material specialists have provided Catalyst with an environmentally safe product with lead free lead plating, a halogen free package compound and a die attach epoxy suitable for lead free packages."

Price and Availability

Lead free packages are offered at the same competitive price as devices with lead based leads. Catalyst Semiconductor and its sub-contract partners have completed qualification and initial qualification devices have shipped to prospective customers. Catalyst will continue to offer both lead-based and lead-free package options.

Initial products with the lead-free package option are SPI, I2C and Microwire serial EEPROMs. For other device types or questions about availability and volume prices, contact Catalyst Semiconductor or any Catalyst regional sales office.
About Catalyst Semiconductor
Founded in 1985, Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc. is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. The Company designs and markets a broad range of programmable products including Flash Memories, Serial and Parallel EEPROMs with I2C, SPI and Microwire interfaces, NVRAM, Digitally Programmable Potentiometers (DPP), Microcontroller Supervisory circuits and other programmable Mixed Signal products. Catalyst products are used in telecommunications, networking systems, computation, automotive, industrial and consumer markets. Typical applications include optical networks, modems, wireless LANs, network cards, PC BIOS, DIMM modules, cellular telephones, digital satellite box receivers, set-top boxes and Internet routers. Catalyst's Quality Management System is ISO 9001 certified. For additional information about Catalyst Semiconductor, please visit our web site at www.catalyst semiconductor.com.

About Orient Semiconductor Electronics, Ltd. (OSE)
OSE consists of two business groups – the Finished Products Group and the Semiconductor Group. Together they make OSE one of the worlds leading companies in the industry. The Finished Products Group is among the top 30 worldwide in the electronics manufacturing services industry. The Semiconductor Group is ranked among the top five internationally in the IC packaging and testing industry.

Established in 1971, OSE provides electronics manufacturing services and IC packaging and testing services to more than 70 customers in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. With headquarters in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, OSE now has 5,000 experienced employees, 16 automated SMT lines and 1,200 wire bonders. OSEs turnover reached NT$9.7 billion in 1999. OSE has been listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange since 1994. Contact information for OSE is:

S. K. Chew, President
Orient Semiconductor Electronics
Phils., Inc.
6 King Road, Light Industry & Science Park II
Brgy. Lamesa, Calamba, Laguna 4027, Philippines   Telephone: (63) 49-545-7188 ext. 1003
Fax: (63) 49-545-7261
Email: sk_chew@ose.com.ph
Web: www.ose.com.tw

Except for those statements that report the Companys historical results, the statements being made are forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Factors which could cause actual results to differ from expectations include the following: economic conditions in the market generally and in the semiconductor industry specifically, volatility in supply and demand affecting revenues and market prices, price and availability of silicon foundry, assembly and test subcontract capacity required to meet financial targets and/or meet backlog requirements, risks and delays associated with bringing up new production capabilities with deliveries from subcontractors, timing and market acceptance of new products, increased expenses associated with new product introductions or process changes, delays in developing or achieving volume production of new products, which can result in delays or failure to contribute to revenues and profits, ability of the Company to maintain its customer and vendor base and delays in and/or inability in raising additional capital. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained under the heading Certain Factors That May Affect the Companys Future Results of Operations" listed from time to time in Catalysts SEC reports including but not limited to the report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2001 and Form 10-Q for the quarters ended July 31, 2001, October 31, 2001, and January 21, 2002.

EDITOR CONTACTS:   
   

David Gillooly
Catalyst Semiconductor
Director of Marketing
Telephone: 408.542.1080
Email: david.gillooly@catsemi.com

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Editor Note:
DPP is a trademark of Catalyst Semiconductor. SPI is a trademark of Motorola, Inc. I2C is a trademark of Philips. Microwire is a trademark of National Semiconductor.

In I2C the 2 is superscript.

An electronic image can be downloaded at www.catalyst-semiconductor.com/editors.