Mitsui Press Releases

	MTC America to Build Recordable Compact Disc's Plant in Colorado Springs

Purchase, NY – April 29, 1996 – MTC America Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. announced today that it plans to construct a recordable compact disc (CD-R) manufacturing facility in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. was established in 1933 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Worldwide sales in 1995 were approximately US$5.0 billion. Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. is a technology-based chemical company with a product portfolio ranging from general-use commodity products to value-added fine chemicals and specialty products which feature propriety technologies developed in-house. Having gained ISO 9000 series certification for 13 products, including CD-R, the company is now working on extending the same philosophy and internationally-approved quality control system to its entire product range.

MTC America, Inc. based in Purchase , New York, is responsible for the sales and marketing operations of the products of Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. in North America and for managing sales of over US$!@% million in 1995 of commodity products, fines chemicals, and specialty products.

CD_R, or compact disc Recordable is a rapidly growing technology which permits users to create their own compact discs in the office or home. CD_R differs from CD-ROM in that the data is encoded in a light-sensitive day as opposed to being stamped in the plastic substrate as on a DC-ROM.. CD-R permits users to create their own audio CD's, CD-ROMs, or other CD formats easily and expensively. The global market for CD-R media has grown from approximately 5 million discs in 1994 to a projected 40 million in 1996.

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of CD-R media (Mitsui Gold) and is the worldwide patent holder for Phthalocyanine dye. Mitsui Gold CD-Rs have a characteristic gold color and provide superior longevity, high speed writing compatibility, and recording quality when compared to other manufacturers of CD-Rs, whose discs have a greenish tint. Mitsui Gold brand discs are certified for use in all CD writers and readers and come with a lifetime warranty.

MTC America decided to build a CD-R manufacturing plant in the United States for a number of reasons. "The US is the leading market for CD-R and building here allows us to better serve our customers. Furthermore, it affords us the opportunity to expand our CD-R related businesses as well as benefit from the technological dynamism of the US market." said Mr. Yastuo Iwai, Executive Vice President of Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. Colorado Springs was chosen as the plant site for its high technology infrastructure, excellent quality of life, central location, and the outstanding support provided by the Colorado Office of Business Development, The Colorado International Trade Office, The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, The Greater Colorado Springs Economic Development Corporation, and the City of Colorado Springs Raid Response Team. "The level of cooperation we received from state and local authorities was extremely impressive. We look forward to becoming good neighbors and productive corporate citizens of Colorado Springs." said Mr. Iwai.

"On behalf of Governor Romer, I am pleased to welcome this important international company and its cutting edge technology to Colorado." SaidJohn Dill, State Director of Economic Development. "Working with local economic development officials, the state, through our efforts here as well as assistance from Tokyo office, helped make this exciting project a success."

A new company, Mitsui Advanced Media, Inc. (MAMI) has been incorporated to manage the Colorado-based production facility. MAMI will initially focus on the production of CD-R media while the sales and marketing efforts will be handled by MTC America, Inc. These responsibilities and personnel will ultimately be incorporated into MAMI and relocated to Colorado Springs. At that time, a MAMI corporate headquarters may be constructed on the same site as the factory. MAMI will hire approximately 70 local staff to begin operations and plans to expand to up to 400 employees at full build out. The facility will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Construction on the CD-R plant is scheduled to begin April of 1996 and is expected to be completed with the year. Commercial production is planned for early 1997. Interested individuals should fax their resumes to Mr. Tatsuya Komura, Administrator, Human Resources at (914) 253-0790.

Prospective vendors can send their materials to this address: MAMI, 19N. Tejon Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.

Please contact Mia Boetius if you would like a photo slide.

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For Further Information Contact:

Mia Boetius
Mitsui Advanced Media
Phone: 1(914)251-4216
Fax: 1(914)253-0790

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