Linde expands TFT-LCD footprint in China with gas contract for Samsung in Suzhou

Linde LienHwa (LLH), The Linde Group's joint venture with LienHwa MiTAC Group of Taiwan, a supplier of electronics gas and solutions, has announced a significant long-term deal with Samsung Electronics to supply gases for its latest 8.5G TFT-LCD manufacturing plant in Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP), China. Industrial gases are essential to the production of transistors that control the pixels in LCD screens.

This major gas supply contract marks a further milestone in Linde's continuing expansion in Asia and is strategically significant for Linde LienHwa's position in eastern China, he company said.

Very large volumes of ultra-high purity gases play a critical part in the manufacture of TFT-LCD screens. They are used to create the microscopic thin-film transistors (TFT) required to control each of the thousands of pixels that make up the visible image.

According to IHS iSuppli, global large panel area capacity is set to increase by 78% in the next four years, reaching 283 million square metres by 2015. In 2012 alone, the analyst specialist predicts a 30% growth in large panel area capacity globally, with an increase of 151% in China.

Under this agreement, Linde LienHwa will provide Samsung with a turnkey installation of the TFT-LCD plant's bulk gases supply systems, with a gas-on-line date of the end of 2012. Linde LienHwa's extensive scope includes the construction of a new on-site SPECTRA-N 30,000 series nitrogen generator supplying gas to Samsung via an underground pipeline. Overall investment is in the region of EUR50 million. This will double Linde LienHwa's capacity in Suzhou Industrial Park, and demonstrates the significant growth potential of this market.

Samsung's new panel facility is constructed by Suzhou Samsung LCD (SSL). SSL was established in April 2011 as a joint venture between Samsung, SIP and TCL Corporation. SIP is expected to become China's largest advanced LCD production cluster.

(digitimes.com, edited by Topco)