3M today announced the expansion of its Wafer Transport System portfolio of products and services to include a solution for 300mm wafers. The 3M Wafer Transport System maximizes the wafer packing and shipping processes by helping to protect high-value semiconductor products, better manage waste and decrease wafer transport costs.

The complete Wafer Transport System from 3M includes both product and service offerings. Using six sigma methodology, which drives decision-making based on data and helps customers drill down to find the root causes of process inefficiencies, experts from 3M can support customers in their efforts to achieve global standardization. By taking advantage of 3M's own global network and its professional services, analytical capabilities and decades of experience addressing the many challenges of product and component transport, customers can increase efficiencies while driving down cost in the packing and shipping of wafers.

By using the products and services within the 3M Wafer Transport System, semiconductor companies now have an opportunity to benefit from a global reuse system that lowers disposal costs as well as expenditures towards purchasing nonreusable packing materials. 3M's products for wafer transport include its innovative Horizontal Wafer Shippers and its Air Cushion Packaging.

The combination of the 3M Horizontal Wafer Shipper with 3M Air Cushion Packaging, implemented using 3M's broad expertise and service offerings, has proven to decrease overall shipping costs by as much as 70 percent. Now available in 150mm, 200mm, and 300mm sizes, the 3M Horizontal Wafer Shipper is a robust solution that decreases wafer breakage, provides high-impact strength, durability and superior static protection. The 3M Horizontal Wafer Shipper also protects wafers from ionic and out-gassing damage.

According to Wafer Trends Inc., the number of fabrication sites that will produce 300mm wafers is expected to grow 74 percent in 2004. The 300mm wafer transport system from 3M is designed to support the shift to larger and thinner wafers, while decreasing costs and breakage. The migration towards 300mm further demonstrates the company's leadership in producing cost-efficient and reliable semiconductor packing and shipping products to meet the changing needs of customers.

"The number of wafers that need to be packed and shipped continues to increase around the globe as the semiconductor industry recovers from its recent slowdown. Customers need a reliable system that will provide a high level of wafer protection without increasing costs," said Becky Stroh, business manager, 3M Industrial Services and Solutions Division. "The development of the 300mm solution has been a vital initiative for 3M to meet the supply chain needs of our customers in the semiconductor market."

3M Air Cushion Packaging is a compact, suspension cushion system, engineered for shipping expensive and fragile wafers. Its technology enables the smallest footprint, lowest dimensional weight and excellent shock and vibration protection.

"Maximizing efficiencies within the global wafer packing and shipping process is a constant challenge," said Takehiko Nakamura, product manager, 3M Industrial Services and Solutions Division. "As customer needs change, 3M is working to stay one step ahead with its high-quality transport management products and services."

About 3M -- A Global, Diversified Technology Company

Every day, 3M people find new ways to make amazing things happen. Wherever they are, whatever they do, the company's customers know they can rely on 3M to help make their lives better. 3M's brands include icons such as Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate, Scotch-Brite, Filtrete, Command and Vikuiti. Serving customers in more than 200 countries around the world, the company's 67,000 people use their expertise, technologies and global strength to lead in major markets including consumer and office; display and graphics; electronics and telecommunications; safety, security and protection services; health care; industrial and transportation. For more information, including the latest product and technology news, visit www.3M.com.

3M, Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate, Scotch-Brite, Filtrete, Command and Vikuiti are trademarks of 3M.

3M, St. PaulRon Wenaas, 651-736-7918http://www.3m.com/profile/pressbox/media_contacts.jhtmlorSnow CommunicationsKaty Tanghe, 612-337-0740ktanghe@cybersnow.com