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Toshiba and SanDisk Celebrate the Opening of Fab 5 300mm NAND Flash Memory Fabrication Facility in Japan

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^{Published in Science and Technology on Monday, July 11th 2011 at 23:20 GMT by Market Wire}  

YOKKAICHI, MIE, Japan--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO:6502) and SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK) today celebrated the opening of Fab 5, the third 300mm wafer NAND fabrication facility at Toshibaa�s Yokkaichi Operations in Mie Prefecture, Japan.

Consumer demand for smartphones, tablets and other electronic devices continues to fuel strong global demand for NAND flash memory. Toshiba began the construction of Fab 5 in July 2010, and the new facility, equipped with manufacturing equipment funded by Toshiba and SanDisk, started volume production in July 2011. Fab 5 currently uses 24 nanometer (nm)* process technology and its first wafer outs will be in August. In time, the fab will transition to more advanced process generations, starting with recently announced 19nm technology, the worlda�s smallest, most advanced process node.

Fab 5 incorporates advanced earthquake-absorbing structures and integrates multiple power compensation techniques for protection against unexpected disruptions. LED lighting and power-saving manufacturing equipment will support the fab in securing Toshibaa�s goal of 12 percent less CO₂ emissions than Fab 4. A wafer transportation system links the facility with Fabs 3 and 4 to support efficient manufacturing.

Flash Forward, Ltd., a joint venture between Toshiba and SanDisk established in September 2010 (50.1 percent owned by Toshiba and 49.9 percent by SanDisk), funded the advanced manufacturing equipment within the fab.

* Note: 1 nanometer = one billionth of a meter

SanDiska�s operations in Yokkaichi include more than 300 employees under the leadership of SanDisk Japan President and General Manager, Dr. Atsuyoshi Koike.

About Toshiba

Toshiba is a world leader and innovator in pioneering high technology, a diversified manufacturer and marketer of advanced electronic and electrical products spanning digital consumer products; electronic devices and components; power systems, including nuclear energy; industrial and social infrastructure systems; and home appliances. Toshiba was founded in 1875, and today operates a global network of more than 490 companies, with 203,000 employees worldwide and annual sales surpassing 6.3 trillion yen (US$77 billion). Visit Toshiba's web site at [ www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm ].

About SanDisk

SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK) is a global leader in flash memory storage solutions, from research and development, product design and manufacturing to branding and distribution for OEM and retail channels. Since 1988, SanDisk's innovations in flash memory and storage system technologies have provided customers with new and transformational digital experiences. SanDisk's diverse product portfolio includes flash memory cards and embedded solutions used in smart phones, tablets, digital cameras, camcorders, digital media players and other consumer electronic devices, as well as USB flash drives and solid-state drives (SSD) for the computing market. SanDisk's products are used by consumers and enterprise customers around the world.

SanDisk is a Silicon Valley-based S&P 500 and Fortune 500 company, with more than half its sales outside the United States. For more information, visit [ www.sandisk.com ].

TOSHIBA DISCLAIMER

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning future plans, strategies and the performance of Toshiba Group. These statements are based on managementa�s assumptions and beliefs in light of the economic, financial and other data currently available. Furthermore, they are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Toshiba therefore wishes to caution readers that actual results might differ materially from our expectations. Major risk factors that may have a material influence on results are indicated below, though this list is not necessarily exhaustive.

• Major disasters, including earthquakes and typhoons;
• Disputes, including lawsuits, in Japan and other countries;
• Success or failure of alliances or joint ventures promoted in collaboration with other companies;
• Success or failure of new businesses or R&D investment;
• Changes in political and economic conditions in Japan and abroad; unexpected regulatory changes;
• Rapid changes in the supply and demand situation in major markets and intensified price competition;
• Significant capital expenditure for production facilities and rapid changes in the market;
• Changes in financial markets, including fluctuations in interest rates and exchange rates.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS BY SANDISK

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements from SanDisk, including statements about SanDiska�s business prospects and outlook, including expected flash memory demand in 2011 and beyond and technology transitions in 2011, that are based on SanDiska�s current expectations and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that may cause these forward-looking statements to be inaccurate. Risks that may cause these forward-looking statements to be inaccurate include among others: less than anticipated demand, including due to economic weakness in SanDiska�s markets; unpredictable or changing demand for SanDiska�s products, particularly for certain form factors or capacities; unexpected difficulties or delays in developing, manufacturing with acceptable yields, or ramping, new technologies such as 19-nanometer; and other risks detailed from time-to-time in SanDiska�s Securities and Exchange Commission filings and reports, including, but not limited to, SanDiska�s most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q and annual report on Form 10-K.

SanDisk does not intend to update the information contained in this release.

SanDisk and the SanDisk logo are trademarks of SanDisk Corporation, registered in the United States and other countries. Other brand names mentioned herein are for identification purposes only and may be the trademarks of their respective holder(s).