Linde LienHwa announces long-term deal with Samsung Electronics

It was announced today that Linde LienHwa (LLH), The Linde Group's joint venture with LienHwa MiTAC Group of Taiwan, a leader in electronics gas supply and solutions, has agreed to a significant long-term deal with Samsung Electronics to supply gases for its latest 8.5 generation TFT-LCD manufacturing plant in Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP), China.

This key gas supply contract marks a significant strategic move for Linde LienHwa's position in eastern China and becomes a further milestone as Linde looks to continue its expansion throughout Asia. The contract is helping to strengthen Linde's position as a gas supplier for the electronics industry, demonstrating the increasing demand for the company's gases and solutions from electronics manufacturers across the world.

IHS iSuppli has stated that global large panel area capacity is set to increase by 78 percent in the next four years, reaching a peak of 283 million square meters by 2015. A 30 percent growth in large panel area capacity is expected globally in 2012 alone, with an increase throughout China of 151 percent.

Linde LienHwa's broad 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 EUR 50 million. This will double Linde LienHwa's capacity in Suzhou Industrial Park, and demonstrates the significant growth potential of this market.

Andrew Lau, President and General Manager of Linde LienHwa China, said, "This new project significantly strengthens our industry references and reinforces our leading role in the TFT-LCD industry. It also shows we are confident about the growth of the electronics market in Asia."

Peter Owen, Head of Linde's Global Electronics business and Asia Joint Venture Management, added, "This significant contract is further acknowledgement of our global capability to supply and service leading TFT-LCD manufacturers with a full portfolio of gases and equipment. We look forward to building a strong working relationship with Samsung Electronics at their Suzhou site."

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