ASE Provides Facts and Explanations on Media Reports Related to K7 and K11

TAIPEI, Taiwan, Dec. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc (TAIEX: 2311, NYSE: ASX), the world's largest semiconductor assembly and test service provider, today announced the following facts with reference to the reports and allegations directed at ASE Kaohsiung's K7 and K11 facilities.

ASE Kaohsiung K7 facility PH/Suspended Solids data measurement.  Pertaining to the discrepancies between the data submitted by ASE and the data produced by Kaohsiung City Environment Protection Bureau (KEPB), ASE wishes to clarify as follows:

1. PH Levels. ASE Kaohsiung K7's measurements were recorded at 2.00pm and hence differs from the data taken by the KEPB at 3.00pm.

1.1. On Oct 1st at 2.00pm, ASE personnel conducted measurements and recorded a level of PH4.14, while the EPB's data measured at 3.00pm recorded PH2.84.  The reason that there is a gap in both measurements is due to the fact that they were both taken at different times of the day.

1.2. Moreover, ASE's submitted data of PH4.14 at 2.00pm had already missed the standard specification so in no way, was ASE making an attempt to falsify its records to the KEPB.

2. Suspended solids levels.

2.1. The reading of 9.5mg/L was the data submitted by ASE for KEPB based on data recorded at 6.00am of October 1st.  This information differs from the KEPB recorded measurement of 79mg/L taken at 3.00pm on the same day.

2.2. According to the all-day automatic monitoring equipment (instant electronic reference information), it was discovered that there was a fault with the measurement equipment on October 1st that had caused the abnormal measurement at 6.00am.  From 1.30pm to 9.00pm on October 1st, the measurements were actually recorded between 60mg/L to 90mg/L.  Again, the facts completely align with KEPB's measurements of 79mg/L at 3.00pm.  ASE did not attempt to falsify its records to the KEPB.

ASE Kaohsiung K11.

1. Pertaining to the reports about ASE's illegal installation of an underground discharge pipe and allegations that ASE is illegally discharging wastewater into the sea, ASE wishes to clarify as follows:

1.1 The design of the underground discharge pipe was approved by the Kaohsiung City Environment Protection Bureau, and K11 was issued a Water Pollution Control Unit certification license number: 00519-02.  The certificate was issued by the Kaohsiung city's relevant administration authority after ASE's following of proper procedures.  The pipe was thus not an illegal installation. 

1.2. The end point (which is the one and only exit way) of the underwater discharge pipe is designated by the Nantze Export Industrial Zone Administration.  The layout of the discharge pipe and each contact point have been duly reviewed and approved by the Nantze Export Industrial Zone Administration.  This disproves speculation that ASE has illegally installed the discharge pipe to discharge wastewaters into the open sea.

2. Pertaining to the reports that K11's second neutralization tank did not match the model submitted to the authorities, ASE wishes to clarify as follows:

2.1. In 2005, in ASE's formal submission to the authorities, the current model of neutralization tank (which was an approved model recommended in the KEPB 'proposal for water pollution control measures') was submitted in ASE's application for licensed use.  A copy of the blueprint submitted is retained by the Kaohsiung City Environmental Protection Bureau for verification.

2.2. There were no recorded irregularities prior to the recent audit by KEPB.  The neutralization tank at K11 is solely for the purpose of treatment of wastewater and not as the authorities' allegations of illegally discharging the wastewater.

3. Pertaining to reports that the spare slots in the rear of the discharge chute was installed without proper approvals, ASE would like to refute as follows:

3.1. In 2005, in ASE's formal submission to the authorities, the current model of the discharge chute and its spare slots (which was an approved model recommended in the KEPB 'proposal for water pollution control measures') was submitted in ASE's application for licensed use.  A copy of the blueprint submitted is retained by the Kaohsiung City Environmental Protection Bureau for verification.

3.2. There were no recorded irregularities prior to the recent audit by KEPB.

About ASE Group

The ASE Group is the world's largest provider of independent semiconductor manufacturing services in assembly, test, materials and design manufacturing. As a global leader geared towards meeting the industry's ever growing needs for faster, smaller and higher performance chips, the Group develops and offers a wide portfolio of technology and solutions including IC test program design, front-end engineering test, wafer probe, wafer bump, substrate design and supply, wafer level package, flip chip, system-in-package, final test and electronic manufacturing services through Universal Scientific Industrial Co Ltd, a member of the ASE Group. The Group generated sales revenues of US$6.5 billion in 2012 and employs over 57,000 people worldwide. For more information about the ASE Group, visit www.aseglobal.com.

Safe Harbor Notice

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Contact:

Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc.
Room 1901, No. 333, Section 1
Keelung Road, Taipei, Taiwan, 110
Tel: +886-2-6636-5678
Fax: +886-2-2757-6121
http://www.aseglobal.com

Joseph Tung, Chief Financial Officer
Eddie Chang, Senior Director
Joseph Su, Manager
[email protected]

SOURCE Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc.