ST. LOUIS, July 2 /PRNewswire/ --

Citing the growing importance of the role chemicals are playing in
advanced semiconductor applications, SAFC, a member of the Sigma-Aldrich
Group (Nasdaq: SIAL), today unveiled the new identity of its SAFC Hitech
brand following the acquisition of UK-based chemicals supplier, Epichem
Limited. The company outlined its unique business proposition, offering a
total supply chain partner capability with global sales and local service to
deliver market-leading chemicals expertise to the silicon and compound
semiconductor industries worldwide.

With the addition of Epichem's expertise and industry relationships,
built up over the past 25 years, SAFC Hitech now offers a rich compound and
silicon semiconductor skill set for the development, integration and
large-scale manufacture of chemical vapor deposition precursors for
conductive films, barrier layers, high-k dielectrics for advanced gate
stacks, low-k dielectrics for inter-level dielectric layer (IDL) applications
and specialty optical or surface modification coatings.

"We acquired Epichem because of their unique understanding of advanced
chemistries for the silicon and compound semiconductor markets," said Frank
Wicks, President of SAFC. "This is a valuable extension of our own unique
understanding of manufacturing production-scale high-purity chemicals, our
global supply chain infrastructure and financial strength. Combined, we offer
our customers access to chemicals expertise, close collaboration on the
development of new materials and process integration schemes, and the ability
to quickly scale-up to volume production levels. This unique business model
accelerates technology progression and time-to-market, giving SAFC Hitech a
strong competitive edge in serving the semiconductor industry."

The role of chemistry in semiconductor manufacturing is rapidly evolving
as the industry strives to keep pace with Moore's Law. The need for increased
performance and smaller design rules brings greater complexity in device
manufacturing, especially on the gate level where molecular chemistry is
being applied. Going forward, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs),
chemical companies and Integrated Device Manufacturers (IDMs) will need to
interface directly with one another to develop the best chemistries, process
technologies and integration schemes for particular applications.

"As we continue to find innovative materials for next generation
technology nodes, the need for greater collaboration between process
engineers, tool manufacturers and chemical companies becomes critical," said
Barry Leese, President of SAFC Hitech. "What we will experience moving
forward is an increased commitment to a turnkey approach through increasing
levels of cooperation. This signals a change in the traditional business
model. SAFC Hitech is well positioned to capitalize on this market
opportunity, guiding customers successfully through the entire supply chain
and production process, from research and development through pilot
production to commercialization and materials disposal."

SAFC Hitech will unveil its product roadmap for the silicon and compound
semiconductor markets on July 17th at Semicon West 2007 in San Francisco, CA.
Further information on the company can be found online at its new Web site --
http://www.safchitech.com

About SAFC: SAFC is the custom manufacturing and services group within
Sigma-Aldrich that focuses on high-purity inorganics for high technology
applications, cell culture products and services for biopharmaceutical
manufacturing, biochemical production and the manufacturing of complex,
multi-step organic synthesis of APIs and key intermediates. SAFC has
manufacturing facilities around the world dedicated to providing
manufacturing services for companies requiring a reliable partner to produce
their custom manufactured materials. SAFC has four operating segments -- SAFC
Pharma, SAFC Supply Solutions, SAFC Biosciences, and SAFC Hitech -- and had
annual sales of nearly US$500 million in 2006. SAFC is one of the world's 10
largest fine chemical businesses.

About Sigma-Aldrich: Sigma-Aldrich is a leading Life Science and High
Technology company. Our biochemical and organic chemical products and kits
are used in scientific and genomic research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical
development, the diagnosis of disease and as key components in pharmaceutical
and other high technology manufacturing. We have customers in life science
companies, university and government institutions, hospitals and in industry.
Over one million scientists and technologists use our products. Sigma-Aldrich
operates in 36 countries and has 7,600 employees providing excellent service
worldwide. We are committed to accelerating Customers' success through
leadership in Life Science, High Technology and Service. For more information
about Sigma-Aldrich, please visit our award-winning web site at
http://www.sigma-aldrich.com.

About SAFC Hitech: SAFC Hitech provides a unique chemistry service
translating application understanding into performance materials worldwide.
Through collaborative partnerships and an integrated approach from research
and development, process development and scale up to commercial
manufacturing, SAFC Hitech invests in innovation and manufacturing enabling
current and future technology needs.

Cautionary Statement: This release contains forward-looking statements
relating to future performance, goals, strategic actions and initiatives and
similar intentions and beliefs and other statements regarding the Companies'
expectations, goals, beliefs, intentions and the like, which involve
assumptions regarding the Companies' operations and conditions in the markets
the Companies serve. The Companies do not undertake any obligation to update
these forward-looking statements.

Web site: http://www.sigma-aldrich.com