SHANGHAI, Oct. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation ("SMIC"; NYSE: SMI; SEHK: 981), China's largest and most advanced semiconductor foundry, today announced that its customers' bank card IC products adopting SMIC's eEEPROM platform have obtained China Union Pay certifications. SMIC's 0.18-micron eEEPROM technology is one of SMIC's differentiated offerings for mature process nodes. The platform is targeted at China's fast-growing dual-interface financial IC card market, as well as the worldwide market for contactless smart cards, and any other applications requiring secure identification and frequent data updates. Currently, four of China's six bank card IC design houses that qualify for China Union Pay certification have chosen SMIC as their foundry partner. Among the four bank card IC design houses, three of them have already been certified and the fourth design house is targeted to be certified by the end of 2013.

Based on the research of the China Semiconductor Industry Association IC Design Branch, as of today, China's financial IC card demand is estimated to be 800 million units per year (50% in financial applications cards and 50% in other applications) with a potential compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20% over the next 5 years.

"SMIC's eEEPROM platform includes both 0.18-micron and 0.13-micron technologies, with 0.13-micron delivering up to 50% reductions in both memory area and power consumption," said Dr. TY Chiu, Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director of SMIC. "Since our eEEPROM platform is 100% compatible with our logic process, logic IP can be directly applied on our eEEPROM platform. We believe the platform's significant decrease in size, higher speed, lower leakage and improvements in power consumption will help our customers introduce many highly differentiated products."

"I am very pleased to see SMIC's progress in the financial IC card field," said Qin Sheng Wang, Council Chair for the China Semiconductor Industry Association IC Design Branch. "The financial IC card industry has huge market potential and robust demand in China. Chinese companies need to work together to conquer the challenges brought by the strong demand. I believe SMIC plays an essential role in leveraging its technology capability to collaborate within the China IC ecosystem and contribute to the localization of China's financial IC cards."

About SMIC

Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation ("SMIC"; NYSE: SMI; SEHK: 981) is one of the leading semiconductor foundries in the world and the largest and most advanced foundry in mainland China, providing integrated circuit (IC) foundry and technology services at 0.35-micron to 40-nanometer. Headquartered in Shanghai, China, SMIC has a 300mm wafer fabrication facility (fab) and a 200mm mega-fab in Shanghai, a 300mm mega-fab in Beijing, a 200mm fab in Tianjin, and a 200mm fab project under development in Shenzhen. SMIC also has customer service and marketing offices in the U.S., Europe, Japan, and Taiwan, and a representative office in Hong Kong.
For more information, please visit www.smics.com.

Safe Harbor Statements

(Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995)

This press release contains, in addition to historical information, "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements are based on SMIC's current assumptions, expectations and projections about future events.  SMIC uses words like "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "expect," "project" and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words.  These forward-looking statements involve significant risks, both known and unknown, uncertainties and other factors that may cause SMIC's actual performance, financial condition or results of operations to be materially different from those suggested by the forward-looking statements, including among others risks associated with the current global economic slowdown, orders or judgments from pending litigation and financial stability in end markets.

Investors should consider the information contained in SMIC's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including its Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on April 15, 2013, especially in the "Risk Factors Related to Our Financial Condition and Business" and "Operating and Financial Review and Prospects" sections, and such other documents that SMIC may file with the SEC or the Hong Kong Stock Exchange from time to time, including current reports on Form 6-K.  Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on SMIC's future results, performance or achievements.  In light of these risks, uncertainties, assumptions and factors, the forward-looking events discussed in this press release may not occur.  You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date stated, or if no date is stated, as of the date of this press release.  Except as may be required by law, SMIC undertakes no obligation and does not intend to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SMIC Contact Information:

English Media
Anny Liao
Tel: +86-21-3861-0000 x16036
Email: Anny_Liao@smics.com

Chinese Media
Angela Miao
Tel: +86-21-3861-0000 x10088
Email: Angela_Miao@smics.com