Based on the excellent product quality and reliable on-time delivery of its photoresists and other lithographic chemicals, Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. has earned a 2008 Supplier Excellence Award from Texas Instruments. This marks the first time that Sumitomo has received this award from TI.

Sumitomo's g-line, i-line, KrF and ArF photoresists and other microlithography materials are distributed and supported in the U.S. market by its subsidiary Sumika Electronic Materials, Inc., based in Phoenix.

TI has been manufacturing semiconductor devices with Sumitomo's semiconductor materials for more than 15 years. Sumitomo's lithographic materials and support services are used in TI fabs worldwide for high-volume production of advanced digital signal processors and other semiconductor products.

"Sumitomo has earned this recognition based upon its excellent product quality, timely delivery and global support," said Rob Simpson, vice president of worldwide procurement and logistics, Texas Instruments, in presenting the award. "Their quick action on all communications is exemplary."

"TI's rigorous evaluation process over several months validates the high product quality, process repeatability and continuous customer service that Sumitomo delivers," said Masakazu Tokura, director and senior managing executive officer of Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.

Sumitomo's award-winning materials are commercially available to all of its customers worldwide.

TI's Supplier Excellence Awards, presented annually since 1984, recognize the highest levels of excellence and emphasize continuous improvement efforts to set higher goals and achieve greater customer results. In 1998, TI introduced its CETRAQ process to communicate expectations and gauge the performance of suppliers and their products in the areas of cost, environmental responsibility, technology, responsiveness, assurance of supply, and quality. This assessment program provides a framework for objectively comparing and identifying the most valuable supplier partners.

About Sumitomo Chemical

Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. is one of Japan's leading chemical companies, offering a diverse range of products globally in the fields of basic chemicals, petrochemicals, fine chemicals, agricultural chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and IT-related chemicals and materials. The IT-Related Chemicals Sector includes the company's Semiconductor Process Materials Division, the Optical Materials Division, and the Electronic Materials Division, serving the plastics and solar energy markets. Sumitomo Chemical's consolidated net sales for fiscal 2008 were US$18.9 billion (JPY1.9 trillion).