PVA TePla AG acquires KSI

(Asslar, October 22, 2007) - PVA TePla AG, Asslar, today took over the entire KSI Group, Herborn. Together with its subsidiary SAMTEC GmbH, Aalen, the company develops, produces and distributes ultrasound microscopes worldwide to the international end customer market in research and industry. The scanning acoustic microscopes of modular construction are employed in the nondestructive inspection of materials, for example of composite semiconductors and silicon ingots for the semiconductor and photovoltaic industry. KSI GmbH, which originates from the Leica industrial group, develops ultrasound-based analysis systems of up to 2 GHz, with which materials can be inspected in a nondestructive way for defectiveness. In its product range, the company already has fully automatic modules for complete in-line handling for production in the front-end and back-end areas of the semiconductor industry. In addition, analysis equipment has been developed especially for the wafer industry, which is already being successfully marketed. In comparison with equipment currently available, the substantial advantage and innovative element of this analysis system is that whole silicon ingots can be inspected for defects. Increasing miniaturization, leading to ever smaller wafer defects, coupled with the productivity increase required in the semiconductor industry, will drive the worldwide demand for this type of innovative measuring system. Up until now, it was possible only to subject sawn wafers to appropriate quality control due to a lack of alternatives. This new kind of ultrasound high-frequency inspection process means it is now possible to achieve clear production advances in the wafer-production value chain. These systems can be employed for the quality control of both mono-crystalline and polycrystalline ingots. This technology is also extremely interesting for numerous other fields of application in other industries. Wherever complex structures and pieces of various materials and their composites must be inspected for their quality, appropriate inspections can now be carried out without having to destroy the objects in the inspection process. In particular, the merger of both companies generates synergy effects in the technology development between PVA TePla, as a manufacturer of crystal growing systems for the semiconductor and photovoltaic industries, and the KSI Group. The Vacuum Systems and Plasma Systems divisions are also benefiting. "These unique measuring devices represent outstanding products for our customers in all business areas. Customers from the hard metal industry, chip and MEMS production can now inspect their products in a three-dimensional and nondestructive manner and at microscopic definition. Experts also predict a great future for this device in medical technology," explained the CEO of the PVA TePla AG, Peter Abel. The integration of the KSI Group into PVA TePla AG also ensures the company further solid growth and the opportunity to more quickly implement the essential structures for the realization of that growth. A contribution to sales of EUR 5 million to EUR 6 million and a positive earnings contribution are expected for 2008. The company anticipates growth in two-digit percent figures for the following years. The companies have agreed confidentiality on the purchase price. More information is available from: Dr. Gert Fisahn Investor Relations Phone: +49(0)6441/5692-342 gert.fisahn@pvatepla. --- End of Message --- PVA TePla AG Emmeliusstr. 33 Asslar Germany WKN: 746100; ISIN: DE0007461006; Index: CDAX, GEX, Prime All Share; Listed: Geregelter Markt in Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse, Prime Standard in Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse, Freiverkehr in Börse Stuttgart, Freiverkehr in Niedersächsische Börse zu Hannover, Freiverkehr in Börse Berlin, Freiverkehr in Hanseatische Wertpapierbörse zu Hamburg, Freiverkehr in Börse Düsseldorf;