With silane (monosilane, SiH4) demand growing by more
than 25 percent per annum due to its ubiquitous use across electronics
and photovoltaic industries, Air Liquide is to further expand
production from 500 tons per year to 2,000 tons per year via a new
production plant being built and expected to be operational in 2010.
"With this new project, Air Liquide, the only gas supplier to
manufacture silane, again demonstrates its commitment to secure
reliable supply to its customers,” proclaimed Christophe Fontaine, Vice
President Electronics Group. “This strategic investment, complementing
our new Electronics Material Centers in Asia, as well as our Jumbo™
bulk silane offer, will confirm our global leadership in Ultra Pure
Silane and accelerate our growth in the pure gases market.”
The
new plant will be built in Japan in association with the Denka Group
through Denal, its joint-venture company in Japan. Air Liquide claims a
35 percent worldwide market share in silane.