FSI International Receives Follow-on Orders for Its ORION® and ANTARES® Systems from Leading Semiconductor Producers

FSI International, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSII), a leading manufacturer of surface conditioning equipment for microelectronics manufacturing, announced today it received a follow-on order for its ORION^® Single Wafer Cleaning System from a leading semiconductor producer to be used for BEOL applications. The company also received a multi-unit follow-on order for its ANTARES^® Cryokinetic Cleaning System from another leading device producer. The systems are expected to ship during fiscal 2012.*

Integrated circuit manufacturers are recognizing that the closed chamber technology of the ORION^® system provides highly efficient removal of etch and ash by-products without causing galvanic corrosion or changes in metal and dielectric film properties. The process chamber design with an integrated spray bar, improves uniformity, shortens process time, reduces chemical consumption and enhances particle removal.

The ANTARES^® System is a fully automated, single-wafer, Cryokinetic system used for processing 200/300mm wafers with capabilities to remove nanoscale particles. Cryokinetic processing technology is an all-dry, chemical free process that removes particles through impact by high-velocity cryogenic Ar/N₂ aerosol, and reduces defects without damaging the wafer surface, even on copper and porous low-k films. The system’s highly efficient dry cleaning solution can be used for a variety of particle removal applications in FEOL and BEOL. Many of the leading logic device manufacturers worldwide utilize the ANTARES^® System for its defect reduction and yield improvement benefits.

FSI International, Inc. is a global supplier of surface conditioning equipment, technology and support services for microelectronics manufacturing. Using the company’s broad portfolio of cleaning products, which include batch and single-wafer platforms for immersion, spray and cryogenic aerosol technologies, customers are able to achieve their process performance flexibility and productivity goals. The company’s support services programs provide product and process enhancements to extend the life of installed FSI equipment, enabling worldwide customers to realize a higher return on their capital investment. For more information, visit FSI’s website at http://www.fsi-intl.com.

"Safe Harbor” Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
This press release contains certain "forward-looking” statements (*), including, but not limited to expected shipment timing. Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements involving risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, changes in industry conditions; order delays or cancellations; general economic conditions; changes in customer capacity requirements and demand for microelectronics; the extent of demand for the company’s products and its ability to meet demand; global trade policies; worldwide economic and political stability; the company’s successful execution of internal performance plans; the cyclical nature of the company’s business; volatility of the market for certain products; performance issues with key suppliers and subcontractors; the level of new orders; the timing and success of current and future product and process development programs; the success of the company’s direct distribution organization; legal proceedings; the potential impairment of long-lived assets; and the potential adverse financial impacts resulting from declines in the fair value and liquidity of investments the company presently holds; the impact of natural disasters on parts supply and demand for products; as well as other factors listed herein or from time to time in the company’s SEC reports, including our latest 10-K annual report and 10-Q quarterly reports. The company assumes no duty to update the information in this press release.