MTC America to officially open recordable compact disc production facility in Colorado

Business Wire, Feb 3, 1997

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 3, 1997--

$25 Million Plant Will Begin CD-R Production Immediately

Mitsui Advanced Media, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of MTC America, Inc., will officially open its recordable compact disc (CD-R) production facility on February 3, 1997. The 50,000 square foot plant will begin producing its gold-colored recordable CDs immediately.

Construction of the plant, located at "The Crossroads" in Colorado Springs, Colo., began in May, 1996.

Officials from Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan and MTC America from Purchase, New York, will participate in the plant's grand opening. Representatives from the Governor's Office, El Paso County, and Colorado Springs will also be present.

Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals, Inc. was established in 1933 and is one of the leading chemical manufacturers in Japan. Worldwide sales in 1995 were approximately $5 billion. MTC America is responsible for sales and marketing operations for Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals products in North America and for managing operations of four U.S. chemical manufacturing subsidiaries.

The rapidly growing recordable compact disc technology permits users to create their own compact discs in office or at home. CD-R differs from CD-ROM in that the data is encoded in a light-sensitive dye as opposed to being stamped in the plastic substrate as on CD-ROM. CD-R permits users to create their own audio CDs, CD-ROMs, and other CD formats easily and inexpensively.

Mitsui Advanced Media uses a patented phthalocyanine dye in the production of its recordable CDs. The Mitsui Gold discs, which have a characteristic gold color, provide superior longevity, high speed writing capability, and recording quality compared to other CD-Rs. Mitsui Gold CD-Rs are certified for use in all CD writers and readers and come with a lifetime warranty.

Mitsui Gold CD-Rs can hold up to 650 megabytes of data and are used by banks, hospitals, legal firms, recording studios, and other diverse industries to archive data, images, and music. The global market for CD-R media is projected to be over 200 million discs in 1997.

The Mitsui Advanced Media plant currently has 70 employees. Mitsui Advanced Media is currently planning a facility expansion which will double production capability and could increase their local work force to over 100 employees. This expansion is expected to occur within the next several months.

Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals also produces recordable CDs in Japan. By locating the new production facility in Colorado, MTC signals its determination to meet the needs of its American customers by providing a premier quality product at a competitive price. American users account for more than half of the worldwide market for recordable CDs.

CONTACT: Mitsui Advanced Media Inc., Colorado Springs

Dawn Maslowski, 719/262-2433

or

PRACO Public Relations

Tim P. Edinger, 719/473-0704

timped@usa.net