EPITECH EXPANDS WITH THE NEXT AIXTRON PLANETARY REACTOR® FOR MASS PRODUCTION OF ALGAINP UHB LEDS

!!! Press Release !!!

Epitech expands with the next AIXTRON Planetary Reactor
for mass production of AlGaInP UHB LEDs
Planetary Reactor again first choice to meet the growing demand for red/yellow LEDs

Aachen/Tainan, Taiwan, 8 December, 2003 - Epitech Technology Corporation, fast growing Epi-wafer manufacturer with high end performance, based in the Tainan Science based Industrial Park, Taiwan, has announced an repeat order for another AIXTRON MOCVD Reactor. The AIX 2600G3 has a capacity of up to 35 2inch wafers and will be installed to increase Epitech's capacities for the mass production of red, orange and yellow AlGaInP UHB LED wafers.

Dr. Simon Chen, President of Epitech comments: "The AIXTRON Planetary Reactor AIX 2600G3 offers an extremely large capacity for 35 times 2inch wafers. The outstanding uniformity, repeatability and reliability of this system enables us to lead the market in terms of device performance, quality and also profitability. We are producing highest quality material at an unparalleled high yield, meeting our requirements for top technologies. As the AIX 2600G3 offers the highest yield and performance, at the lowest running costs compared to other suppliers, it is the most profitable and preferable system for our high end products on the market.”

Dr. Bernd Schulte, Executive Vice President and COO of AIXTRON adds: "The market for red and green LEDs, especially for high end products, is continuously growing, which is also reflected in this latest repeat order from Epitech. Our leading edge MOCVD reactor AIX 2600G3 is the most successful and most accepted mass production tool for red, yellow and orange UHB-LEDs."

The AIX 2600G3 has a capacity of up to 35x2" (alternatively 5x6”) wafers. The two-flow horizontal Planetary Reactor is recognized world-wide as the most widely used multi-wafer MOCVD reactor for compound semiconductor applications. The unique reactor concept allows laminar gas flow without turbulence for precise control of the material composition and achievement of ultra-sharp interfaces. Ultra-high uniformity along with high growth efficiency on multiple 2", 3", 4” or 6” wafers is achieved through wafer rotation with the patented Gas Foil Rotation.

AIXTRON is, as verified by a independent market research institute, the world leading supplier of equipment for semiconductor epitaxy. Its equipment is used by a diverse range of customers worldwide to manufacture critical, advanced components such as HBTs, PHEMTs, MESFETs, Lasers, LEDs, Detectors and VCSELs used in fiber optic communication systems, wireless and mobile telephony applications, optical storage devices, illumination, signaling and lighting, as well as a range of other leading edge technologies. AIXTRON AG (FSE: AIX ISIN DE0005066203) is listed in the Prime Standard and Tec-DAX of the German Stock Exchange (Deutsche Börse) and is included in the MSCI World Index.

For further information please contact:

Dr. Claus Ehrenbeck
Head of Investor Relations and
Corporate Communications
AIXTRON AG
Kackertstr. 15 - 17
D-52072 Aachen, Germany
Phone:+49 241 8909 444
Fax: +49 241 8909 445
E-mail: invest@aixtron.com