Suzhou, China (May 23, 2006) – On Friday, May 19, KEMET Corporation (NYSE:KEM) celebrated the grand opening of its second production facility in Suzhou, China, and announced its plans to add a third manufacturing facility in the Suzhou area within the next two years. The initial announcement of Suzhou Plant 2 was made in November 2003, ground was broken June 18, 2004, and the plant began shipping product in December 2004. Suzhou Plant 2 doubled KEMET’s investment and floor space in China to a total of $70 million USD and 20,000 square meters, respectively. KEMET currently employs 940 people in the Suzhou area.

The ceremony was a traditional Chinese Grand Opening ceremony, including welcome drums and the traditional lion dance symbolizing prosperity and good fortune for the future. Special guests included government officials, customers, suppliers, and friends. VIPs in attendance included Mr. Wang Jin Hua, Deputy Secretary of the Suzhou Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Suzhou Industrial Park Work Committee; Mr. Ma Ming Long, Chairman of the Suzhou Industrial Park Administration Committee; and Mr. Qian Jian Zhong, Director of Suzhou Industrial Park Customs. Also in attendance were the top management staffs of KEMET’s customers throughout Asia.

"This is a very exciting time for KEMET," said Mr. Per Loof, Chief Executive Officer. "We just completed the purchase of the former EPCOS tantalum business unit in Portugal. Now we are here to celebrate the Grand Opening of our second manufacturing facility in Suzhou. This plant is a big part of our commitment to establish a strong local presence and to be ‘Easy to Buy From’ for our customers in Asia.”

KEMET’s customer base in Asia is the fasting growing in the company, accounting for 37.9% of sales in fiscal year 2006 and increasing each year. Suzhou Plant 2 manufactures KEMET’s state-of-the-art organic polymer tantalum capacitors, the KO-CAP line.

KEMET Corporation provides industry-leading, high-performance electronic component solutions, including the world’s most complete line of surface-mount capacitor technologies across tantalum, ceramic, and solid aluminum dielectrics, provided with the world’s best quality, delivery and service. KEMET's common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol KEM. Additional information can be found at http://www.kemet.com.

Click to See Pictures of Grand Opening

Click to See Pictures of Appreciation Dinner