Through-Silicon-Via technology fuses memory + GPU to enable cutting-edge performance

HSINCHU, Taiwan, August 19 , 2015 - United Microelectronics Corporation (NYSE: UMC; TWSE: 2303) ("UMC"), a leading global semiconductor foundry, today announced that it has received CommonWealth Magazine's Corporate Citizenship Award for the sixth time, earning fourth place this year. Po-Wen Yen, CEO at UMC, accepted the award on behalf of the company from Taiwan President Ma Ying Jeou in Taipei today. The judges recognized UMC for its continuous efforts in four aspects including corporate governance, corporate commitments, society participation, and environmental protection, and solid action plans toward climate, resource, waste, and water management issues that demonstrate UMC’s resolution to a green environment.

Mr. Yen commented, “UMC is not only a trustworthy foundry partner and green manufacturing pioneer, but also a company that strives to carry out corporate social responsibilities. We are pleased to again receive CommonWealth Magazine's Citizenship Award. With our continuous efforts, today's honor adds to our CSR achievements including being listed as a Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) stock component for seven consecutive years. These milestones demonstrate that UMC’s long-term commitment towards a wide range of CSR issues has been well recognized. Looking ahead, as a leading global foundry, we will continue to actively devote efforts to better care for our customers, employees, shareholders, the environment, community and society, while practicing corporate social responsibility to redouble our efforts and leverage our influence to promote a virtuous social cycle.”

This year, UMC successfully achieved its three-year “3-6-9”plan to reduce electricity consumption by 3%, water consumption by 6% and waste generation by 9%, along with reducing PFC emissions. This April, UMC announced its five-year “UMC Green 2020” plan of an additional 10% reduction in water, energy, and waste by 2020.

UMC views its employees as its most valuable asset. Through diversified activities, benefits, physical and mental health promotion programs and comprehensive training, UMC encourages its employees to achieve a positive work-life balance. The company also conducts semiconductor training courses with local universities to help cultivate Taiwan high-tech talent.

Encouraged by the company, UMC’s employees actively volunteer in public welfare activities. In 2014, the accumulated volunteer hours increased by 58% over 2013.

The 2015 CommonWealth CSR Award references international indexes and measuring methods such as the United Nations Global Compact, the OECD’s Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes. All the data scored and ranked was according to the following 4 main indicators: Corporate Governance, Corporate Commitment, Social Participation and Environmental Protection.

UMC (NYSE: UMC, TWSE: 2303) is a leading global semiconductor foundry that provides advanced IC production for applications spanning every major sector of the electronics industry. UMC's robust foundry solutions enable chip designers to leverage the company's sophisticated technology and manufacturing, which include 28nm gate-last High-K/Metal Gate technology, ultra-low power platform processes specifically engineered for Internet of Things (IoT) applications and the highest-rated AEC-Q11 Grade-0 automotive industry manufacturing capabilities. UMC's 10 wafer fabs are located throughout Asia and are able to produce over 500,000 wafers per month. The company employs over 17,000 people worldwide, with offices in Taiwan, mainland China, Europe, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and the United States. UMC can be found on the web at http://www.umc.com.

Note from UMC Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the statements in the foregoing announcement are forward looking within the meaning of the U.S. Federal Securities laws, including statements about future outsourcing, wafer capacity, technologies, business relationships and market conditions. Investors are cautioned that actual events and results could differ materially from these statements as a result of a variety of factors, including conditions in the overall semiconductor market and economy; acceptance and demand for products from UMC; and technological and development risks. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in UMC's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its registration statements and reports on Forms F-1, F-3, F-6 and 20-F and 6-K, in each case as amended. UMC does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law.