October 16, 2001 — DUBLIN, OH — Ashland -ACT Korea Ltd. recently increased the manufacturing capacity for its advanced photoresist strippers by 35 percent at its Pyongtaek, Korea plant, which serves markets in Korea and Asia.

“We provide fabs in Korea and across Asia with products made to their specifications and have local experts to service and work with customers daily in developing new products for the next generation of chips,” said Marcello Boldrini, business director for the Asian electronic chemicals division. “We are very excited about our performance and pleased with our continued investment in the region to help our customers achieve success in their business objectives.”

The expansion is the second for the facility’s photoresist stripper and etch residue remover products since production began in 1999. Company officials say the latest move will allow the company to expand its range of products to include Ashland’s NE-series and BNE-series photoresist strippers and etch residue removers.

AAKL is a business unit of the Electronics Chemical Division of Ashland Specialty Chemical Company.