Chinese TFT-LCD“s manufacturing capacity has been experiencing a continued growth rate ranging between 20 to 30% per year and is expected to continue to grow during the coming years due to coming upg…
Chinese TFT-LCD“s manufacturing capacity has been experiencing a continued growth rate ranging between 20 to 30% per year and is expected to continue to grow during the coming years due to coming upgrade cycles in display devices. Beijing Oriental Electronics Technology Group (BOE) and Tianma Microelectronics Co. Ltd. rank among the world top TFT-LCD manufacturers. Air Liquide recently signed a long-term supply agreement with BOE for BOE“s new 4.5-generation TFT-LCD fab in Chengdu high-tech industrial park, in the capital city of Sichuan Province. As per the agreement, Air Liquide will supply its global offer of carrier gases (nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen and argon), speciality gases, Total Gas Management and all equipment and installations relvant to gas supply. Moreover, Air Liquide will also supply of all the carrier gases to Tianma Microelectronics for its new 4.5-generation TFT-LCD project in Chengdu. Air Liquide will, following the signature of these two new contracts, invest EUR 25 million in an Air Separation Unit (ASU) to supply BOE, Tianma and the dynamic market of the Chengdu region. Francisco Martins, vice-president World Business Line Electronics of the Air Liquide Group, said, We are proud to serve the leading players of TFT-LCD in China and therefore reinforcing our position as market leader. This investment will allow our first foothold in Chengdu, one of the most important markets in the South West of China and, at the same time, illustrates Air Liquide“s commitment to contribute to the economic reconstruction of the Sichuan earthquake area. In the current economic context, High Tech and Emerging economies such as China are long-term growth drivers for the Group. Wang Jiaheng, vice-president of BOE Group, added, After fruitful discussion, we have decided to choose Air Liquide as our gas material partner of BOE Chengdu. Air Liquide has understood our needs and shown competitiveness. We look forward to good cooperation with Air Liquide and benefit from its worldwide capabilities.