America’s Leading Manufacturer of Rare Earth and Advanced Material Products

        U.S. SALES & ADMINISTRATION: SUITE 2000 1093 BROXTON AVE. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA  90024

June 8, 2006

PRESS RELEASE

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AMERICAN ELEMENTS ANNOUNCES NEW IRIDIUM PRODUCTION FACILITIES WILL EXPAND IRIDIUM METAL, FOIL AND WIRE CAPACITY

[ June 8, 2006, Los Angeles , CA ] American Elements announced today the start up of an expanded iridium production unit at its Utah facility which will greatly increase the capacity of the company to meet growing demand for its iridium metal products, including wire and foil.

In addition to standard diameters and lengths, with the opening of this new production facility wire diameters can now be achieved in the Fine Wire range to Micro Wire or Ultra Fine Wire range (0.010” to 0.0005”/12.7 microns). Foil thickness can now be achieved in the Thin Film and Ultra Thin Film or Thin Foil to Microfoil range (0.010” to 0.0005” thick).

For further technical and pricing information on iridium metal, foil and wire products, please contact your local American Elements distributor or American Elements U.S. corporate headquarters at (1)310-208-0551, FAX (1)310-208-0351 or customerservice@americanelements.com . American Elements is America’s leading manufacturer and supplier of rare earth and other advanced material products with distribution offices in Europe, Asia and South America.