Luxembourg – AZ Electronic Materials (AZ-EM), the independent specialty chemicals company, today announced that it has raised prices globally by up to 15% across its product range from August 1, 2008, in response to substantial increases in the prices of raw materials and packaging.

AZ Electronic Materials is a global supplier to the semiconductor, flat panel and MEMS global markets. During the last six months, the raw materials used by AZ Electronic Materials have undergone unprecedented price increases, ranging from 20% to 100%, on many principal purchased materials used across the product spectrum.

"AZ Electronic Materials has no option but to raise prices to reflect a proportion of the increased costs experienced by the business, in order to maintain the high standards of product quality and service expected by our customers,” stated Thomas von Krannichfeldt, Chief Executive Officer, AZ-EM. “We remain committed to taking every possible measure to control costs within AZ, as we have done successfully since 2005 through the implementation of our lean six-sigma program."

AZ Electronic Materials is expanding to meet the high demand for products and has recently completed a new production facility in Taiwan on time and on budget. Meanwhile work has continued on a number of other major projects, initiated in order to ensure that the strong growth in demand can be satisfied. Furthermore, AZ-EM has continued to build on its lean six sigma capabilities. As of the end of December 2007, 114 six sigma projects have now been completed with a further 81 projects still ongoing. Projects completed to date have contributed over $5 million in ongoing savings, demonstrating the company’s commitment to cost effective production.