Nokia Joins AVX in the ‘Solutions for Hope’ Initiative, Uses Validated Conflict-Free DRC Tantalum in Products

Nokia Joins AVX in the 'Solutions for Hope' Initiative, Uses Validated Conflict-Free DRC Tantalum in Products

First conflict-free tantalum shipment processed at F&X Smelter in China en route to AVX…

FOUNTAIN INN, S.C. (February 23, 2012) — AVX Corporation, a leading manufacturer of advanced passive components and interconnect solutions, is proud to announce that Nokia, a global leader in mobile communications, has joined AVX in the Solutions for Hope initiative.

“We are very pleased that Nokia has joined Motorola Solutions, Intel, HP and Foxconn to support the Solutions for Hope initiative. We have many more companies evaluating the program, and anticipate further membership in the near future,” said Bill Millman, Tantalum Divisional Director of Quality and Technology at AVX.

The Solutions for Hope initiative is enabling validated conflict-free tantalum from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to be used in AVX, Nokia and other participating company's products. The Solutions for Hope initiative was developed in collaboration with other defined suppliers to create a 'closed pipe' secure supply chain, delivering from in-region traceable materials through independently assessed transport routes to a validated conflict-free smelter onto AVX and its customers.

“Nokia already has a comprehensive program to strive for conflict-free sourcing and it is one of the corner stones of oursupply chain sustainability efforts. We are very happy to be joining the Solutions for Hope Initiative, which complements our efforts in this area. It enables us to support sourcing from Democratic Republic of Congo while ensuring that the raw materials that are used in our products do not contribute to the conflict in the region,” said Jarkko Sakki, Vice President of Sourcing at Nokia.

As of December 1, 2011, all AVX tantalum powder and wire suppliers are fully compliant with the independently audited Conflict-Free Smelter Program (CFS). The first shipment of conflict-free tantalum powder has been processed at the F&X Smelter in China and is en route to AVX, and the second shipment is in transit from the MMR warehouse in Kalemie, DRC to the F&X Smelter.

To provide project updates, as well as complete transparency, visit the Solutions for Hope website at http://solutions-network.org/site-solutionsforhope/

“In accordance with the principles of the Dodd-Frank legislation and current OECD guidelines, U.S. companies will soon be required to fully disclose the use of certain minerals, including tantalum, in their products and to describe the purchasing process to ensure these minerals do not fund the illegally-armed groups operating in the DRC. Because there currently is no recognized system to verify that the sources of minerals from the DRC are conflict-free, efforts to secure supply chains have led to a de facto embargo of minerals from the region while such systems are being developed. Tens of thousands of people in the DRC depend on artisanal mining, many operating in regions where conflict is not present. Their livelihoods and the economic stability of the region have been threatened by the de facto ban. The Solutions for Hope project creates an initial flow of tantalum that will help enable miners to work and conflict-free systems to be developed in the DRC,” Millman added.

The Solutions for Hope project is supported by several implementing initiatives:

• ICGLR Regional Certification
• Traceability program by iTSCi
• Certification of mines by BGR
• Certified Trading Chain
• Due diligence guidance and implementation by the OECD and the UN Group of Experts
• Conflict-Free Smelter (CFS) program
• Conflict-Free Reporting Template

For further information on this project, please contact Bill Millman at AVX: +44 (0) 1803 697211 or visit conflict.free@eur.avx.com

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