SemiSouth Laboratories Announces a New $8 Million Credit Facility Provided by Ritchie Technology and Life Science Finance

STARKVILLE, Miss. – March 13, 2006 - A leader in the development of silicon carbide (SiC) power semiconductors and electronic materials, SemiSouth Laboratories today announced that it has closed on a new $8 million credit facility with Ritchie Technology and Life Science Finance, a division of Ritchie Capital Finance, to fund receivable growth  and to finance forward capital equipment requirements.

 “We’re extremely pleased to have secured this financing, which will help position the company for future growth,” said Dr. Jeffrey B. Casady, president of SemiSouth.  “We are equally impressed with Ritchie Technology and Life Science Finance’s depth of understanding of our business and our corporate finance needs.  This credit facility will provide us supplemental working capital and flexibility as we implement various strategic initiatives.”

“Silicon carbide’s ability to reduce heat emission within computing and vehicle environments and enable future design applications with positive operating and environmental impact in both commercial and military applications, we view as very compelling,” said Gail Fitzpatrick, Managing Director, Technology & Life Sciences Finance Division for Ritchie Capital Finance, LLC. “We see SemiSouth as an emerging leader in this technology and are pleased to have been selected as their lender.”

About Ritchie Capital
Ritchie Capital is a diversified alternative asset management firm established in 1997 with interests in hedge funds, commodities, private equity, specialty lending units, venture capital, insurance, energy and real estate and with offices in Chicago and Geneva IL, New York, London, Bermuda, Hong Kong and Menlo Park, CA.  For additional information, visit http://www.ritchiecapital.com.