Under a long-term commitment with a semiconductor market leader, the investment in new production capacity will allow the group to supply three high volume semiconductor fabrication plants under construction in Tainan Science Park, as well as some of the most advance R&D fabs for logic IC chips in Hsinchu Science Park.
The investment which cost almost €200m will see Air Liquide build, own and operate ultra-high purity hydrogen and oxygen plants in each basin for a total of 5,000 Nm3 of hydrogen per hour and two large scale plants in Hsinchu to produce high-purity nitrogen and argon, for an additional capacity of 120,000 Nm3 of high purity nitrogen per hour.It will also supply large volumes of helium to the fabrication plants.
The first plants are expected to begin operations during the second quarter of 2021 to support the customer’s multi-billion-dollar wafer fabs expansion.
“Reinforcing our current position as a key supplier of high purity nitrogen in the Taichung Science Park in Central Taiwan, Air Liquide is pleased to have been selected as the supplier of high purity gases in both Tainan and Hsinchu Science Parks,” said François Abrial, Member of the Air Liquide Group’s Executive Committee supervising Asia Pacific.
“This further recognises how Air Liquide’s demonstrated expertise, innovation and commitment have enabled us to be a partner of the semiconductor industry for more than 30 years in Taiwan and across Asia.”
“In the context of the pandemic, we are proud to support this industry which enables better and faster people connectivity through enhanced IT infrastructure and 5G deployment.”