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BOC Edwards in big bulk gas investment in Taiwan |
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Feb 04, 2005 at 11:00 AM |
BOC Edwards is making significant investments in Taiwan to consolidate
its major commitments in the country. It has invested in seven gas
plant facilities to ensure bulk gas supply to nine new semiconductor
and flat panel display manufacturing fabs currently under construction.
The gas supply schemes are being developed as part of a US$75m
investment with BOC's long-term joint venture partner, BOC Lienhwa
Industrial Gases Company, Ltd. (BOCLH).
Through BOCLH, BOC Edwards will reinforce its nitrogen (N2) pipeline
infrastructure by building two ultra high-purity N2 gas generator
plants to supply the expanding Hsinchu Science Park. This investment
will support bulk gas supply contracts won at four new 300 mm
semiconductor fabs. The Hsinchu Science Park accounts for approximately
10 percent of total global output of semiconductor devices, more than
80 percent of wafer foundry capacity, and is home to more than 325
high-tech companies. Many of the world's leading semiconductor
manufacturers served by BOC Edwards are among the electronics companies
already based in the park.
BOCLH and BOC Edwards have also secured an agreement to supply bulk
gases to a leading wafer fabrication company in the rapidly developing
Taichung Science Park in central Taiwan. BOCLH will supply this new 300
mm facility with a full range of high-purity bulk gases, including
installation of an onsite BOC Spectra-N nitrogen generator.
BOC Edwards, has also completed the delivery of two SpectraSure™ bulk
special gas systems (BSGS) to support 300 mm high-flow applications at
a new semiconductor foundry in Taiwan. The SpectraSure delivery
equipment features the BOC Edwards intelligent Gas Source Controller
(iGSC™) control system, and is designed to support start-up and
on-going production for nitrous oxide (N2O) and nitrogen trifluoride
(NF3) processes.
Through BOCLH, BOC Edwards is also investing in four new nitrogen
plants that will benefit flat panel display customers in Taoyuan,
Hsinchu, and the Tainan Science Park.
The first two gas supply facilities will come on stream at the end of
2004. Two more are scheduled to start up in 2005. These facilities will
support contracts won with several Generation 4, 5 and 6 flat panel
display manufacturers.
The company has also announced that it is moving its key operations in
Japan to a new, purpose-built complex in Yachiyocity, Chiba (near
Tokyo), scheduled for completion the end of 2004. The new facility will
accommodate functions previously housed at facilities in Narashino and
Ina, including exhaust gas management demonstration and testing, pump
and abatement customization, and turbomolecular pump development
and manufacturing. Customer sales and support teams will also be
located at the new site.
The new 6200m2 facility, to be staffed by over 220 employees, was
specifically designed to support the expanding activities of BOC
Edwards in Japan.
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