HELSINKI, Finland and ALMERE,  the Netherlands -  January 20, 2009  -
ASM International N.V. (NASDAQ: ASMI and Euronext Amsterdam: ASM) and
the University of  Helsinki announced  today that  they have  renewed
their long-term  research  agreement in  the  field of  Atomic  Layer
Deposition for another 5-years.
            Atomic Layer Deposition  (ALD) is an advanced  technology
for depositing thin  film materials one  atom at a  time, for use  in
integrated circuits and other  applications.  ASM and the  University
of Helsinki have been pioneers in ALD technology for two decades.
            ASM Chief Technology Officer, Ivo Raaijmakers, commented:
"The cooperation of University basic  ALD research and ASM  equipment
development has  proved  very  successful  in  bringing  ALD  process
technology to the semiconductor industry since this project began  in
2004.   It  has  also  strengthened  our  portfolio  of  intellectual
property rights in this  process technology platform.  Recently,  the
accord has  generated some  key innovations  in such  areas as  noble
metals and  phase  change materials  deposition,  previously  thought
impossible with ALD, which are currently under study for high  volume
manufacturing".
            "In the current  global situation of fragmented  research
funding, this agreement is  exceptional both in  terms of length  and
volume", commented Professors  Markku Leskelä and  Mikko Ritala,  the
heads of  the  ALD research  group  at the  Laboratory  of  Inorganic
Chemistry at  the  University.  "We  and  our students  also  greatly
appreciate the kind of collaboration  with industry that takes us  to
the area  where  basic  and  applied  research  becomes  mixed.   The
questions we  deal with  in  our research  are fundamental  by  their
nature,  yet  their   solutions  may   find  rapid   use  in   future
semiconductor devices."

About the University of Helsinki
One of the oldest universities in Europe, the University of Helsinki,
founded in 1640, concentrates  on high-level scientific research  and
researcher  education.   Through   its  60   graduate  schools,   the
University focuses  on post-graduate  education.  It  is one  of  the
world's leading academic research institutes  in the field of  Atomic
Layer Deposition.

About ASM International
ASM International N.V.  and its subsidiaries  design and  manufacture
equipment and materials  used to produce  semiconductor devices.  ASM
International and its subsidiaries  provide production solutions  for
wafer  processing  (Front-end  segment)  as  well  as  assembly   and
packaging (Back-end segment) through facilities in the United States,
Europe, Japan and  Asia. ASM International's  common stock trades  on
NASDAQ (symbol ASMI) and the


Euronext Amsterdam Stock Exchange (symbol ASM). For more information,
visit ASMI's web site at www.asm.com.
                              #   #   #
Safe  Harbor Statement under  the U.S. Private Securities  Litigation
Reform Act of 1995: All  matters discussed in this statement,  except
for   any   historical   data,   are   forward-looking    statements.
Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could
cause  actual  results  to  differ  materially  from  those  in   the
forward-looking statements. These  include, but are  not limited  to,
economic  conditions  and  trends   in  the  semiconductor   industry
generally  and  the  timing  of  the  industry  cycles  specifically,
currency fluctuations,  the  timing  of  significant  orders,  market
acceptance of new products, competitive factors, litigation involving
intellectual property, shareholder and  other issues, commercial  and
economic disruption  due to  natural disasters,  terrorist  activity,
armed conflict or political  instability, epidemics  and other  risks
indicated in the Company's  filings from time to  time with the  U.S.
Securities and Exchange  Commission, including, but  not limited  to,
the Company's reports on Form 20-F and Form 6-K. The Company  assumes
no obligation nor  intends to  update or  revise any  forward-looking
statements to reflect future developments or circumstances.

Contacts:

ASMI - Ivo Raaijmakers: +31 88 100 8587; Erik Kamerbeek: + 31 88  100
8500

University  of   Helsinki  -   Markku   Leskelä  +358   9 191   50195
(markku.leskela@helsinki.fi);   Mikko   Ritala   +358   9 191   50193
(mikko.ritala@helsinki.fi)


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