Applied Materials Introduces Major Advancement in CMP Polishing Pad Technology

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 4, 2006--Applied
Materials, Inc. today announced its innovative Applied DuraPad(TM) CMP
polishing pad technology for 200mm chemical mechanical planarization
(CMP) systems. The DuraPad has greater than 30% longer pad life than
existing pads for increased CMP system productivity and delivers
compelling cost of ownership savings to customers. Robust
manufacturing methodology enables exceptional pad-to-pad
reproducibility with less than 2% variation across key parameters --
for predictable CMP process results.

"Pad consumables is a new market for Applied Materials and is the
result of our collaboration with Praxair Electronics(1)," said Manfred
Kerschbaum, senior vice president and general manager of Applied
Global Services. "The most critical consumable for a CMP system is the
polishing pad and we're excited to bring new pad technology to
customers that has significantly improved lifetime, performance and
cost of ownership. In addition, the DuraPad polishing pad is a
replacement that requires minimal tuning for specific process
conditions."

Key to the DuraPad's high reproducibility is continuous sheet
cross-linking and curing, which enables remarkable within-pad and
pad-to-pad consistency. The DuraPad also incorporates Praxair's
patented inert-gas foaming process that optimizes the pad pore
structure for reduced defects and lower slurry flow requirements.

The Applied DuraPad polishing pad's unique design is a result of
Applied's vast experience in CMP, with more than 2,000 CMP system
installations at customer sites worldwide. The DuraPad has already
been qualified by major customers on advanced CMP applications. For
more information about Applied DuraPad CMP polishing pads, please
visit http://www.appliedmaterials.com/products/spares_products.html.

Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAT) is the global leader in
Nanomanufacturing Technology(TM) solutions with a broad portfolio of
innovative equipment, service and software products for the
fabrication of semiconductor chips, flat panels, solar photovoltaic
cells, flexible electronics and energy efficient glass. At Applied
Materials, we apply Nanomanufacturing Technology to improve the way
people live. Learn more at www.appliedmaterials.com.

(1) Praxair Electronics is a division of Praxair, Inc.

CONTACT: Applied Materials, Inc.

Betty Newboe, 408-563-0647 (editorial/media)

Randy Bane, 408-986-7977 (financial community)

SOURCE: Applied Materials, Inc.