Empresas y finanzas

Plastic Logic Raises $100Mn To Enable the First ''Take Anywhere, Read Anywhere'' Electronic Reader Products



    Plastic Logic announced today that it will build the first factory
    to manufacture plastic electronics on a commercial scale. The facility
    will produce flexible active-matrix display modules for 'take
    anywhere, read anywhere' electronic reader products. It will utilize
    Plastic Logic's unique process to fabricate active-matrix displays
    that are thin, light and robust; enabling a reading experience closer
    to paper than any other technology.

    To fund this comprehensive commercialization program, Plastic
    Logic has completed a first closing of $100 million of equity finance
    led by Oak Investment Partners and Tudor Investment
    Corporation. Existing investors Amadeus, which led the seed financing
    of Plastic Logic, Intel Capital, Bank of America, BASF Venture
    Capital, Quest for Growth and Merifin Capital also participated. The
    financing is one of the largest in the history of European venture
    capital.

    Bandel Carano, Managing Partner at Oak, said "Plastic Logic has
    created a pioneering technology that will revolutionize the way that
    people interact with their media on the move. This investment is a
    perfect fit with Oak's vision of future media interaction through
    handheld devices."

    Rob Broggi, Vice President and Director of Technology, Media and
    Telecommunications Equity Research at Tudor, added "This investment
    meets our objective to find and participate in the most exciting
    investment opportunities globally, particularly in mobile and
    nanotechnology sectors."

    Hermann Hauser, Director of Amadeus commented "Having backed
    Plastic Logic from day one, I am delighted that the first full
    commercialization of plastic electronics is now firmly in our
    sights. With this investment we are not only scaling up a great
    company - we are also creating a new electronics industry that will
    become a significant addition to silicon."

    The facility will produce display modules for portable electronic
    reader devices - a product category that is predicted to grow to 41.6
    million units in 2010. It will have an initial capacity of more than a
    million display modules per year and production will start in 2008.
    Dresden in the 'Silicon Saxony' region of eastern Germany has been
    chosen as the facility location following an extensive worldwide site
    selection process.

    "Our displays will enable electronic reader products that are as
    comfortable and natural to read as paper whether you're on a beach, in
    a train or relaxing on the sofa at home." stated John Mills, Chief
    Operating Officer at Plastic Logic. "Wireless connectivity will allow
    you to purchase and download a book or pick up the latest edition of
    your newspaper wherever you are and whenever you need it. The battery
    will last for thousands of pages so you can leave your charger at
    home."

    "Even in this age of pervasive digital content, our research shows
    that consumers are very reluctant to read on laptops, phones and
    PDAs," said Simon Jones, Vice President of Product Development at
    Plastic Logic. "We still carry around enormous amounts of
    paper. However, people are making less room in their lives for the
    weight and bulk of paper and are becoming more sensitive to the
    environmental impact of printing to read. We believe there is a
    substantial unfulfilled need that Plastic Logic can meet by making
    digital reading a comfortable and pleasurable experience."

    Please see www.plasticlogic.com for full press release.