DuPont Forms Photonics Technologies Business to Provide Innovations for Telecommunications Industry

WILMINGTON, Del. and WILMINGTON, Mass.,  March 19, 2003  —  DuPont today announced the formation of DuPont Photonics Technologies, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary located in the Boston suburb of Wilmington, Mass. The new business is part of DuPont Ventures, an externally facing venturing group focused on emerging technologies.

Photonics Technologies will develop, manufacture and market planar integrated photonic devices for use in optical networks for the telecommunications industry. Drew Weber has been named general manager of Photonics Technologies.

"Integrated photonic devices hold great promise for the communications industry," said DuPont Chief Science and Technology Officer Thomas M. Connelly. "DuPont is in a unique position to leverage our capabilities in optical polymers and electronics and our company has the right mix of market access to commercialize these devices."

"With the extensive portfolio of intellectual property that DuPont has developed and acquired, along with a team of experienced people, we are bringing polymer integrated optical products to market that provide datacom, enterprise, and telecommunications equipment builders with significant performance and cost advantages within a small footprint," said Photonics Technologies technical leader Louay Eldada.

Weber has held assignments in technology, marketing and management in businesses involving optical photopolymers and electronic materials. Recently, he was global business manager of telecom and high frequency for Microcircuit Materials within DuPont Electronic Technologies.

"The drive for integration in electronic modules continues to accelerate," Weber said. "We are confident that DuPont Photonics Technologies will deliver integrated products to meet an analogous demand in the photonics marketplace."

The Photonics Technologies business Web site is www.photonics.dupont.com.

DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by solving problems and creating solutions that make people's lives better, safer and easier. Operating in more than 70 countries, the company offers a wide range of products and services to markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.

3/19/03