Air Liquide has entered into a long-term agreement to supply ultra-pure gases to a major Japanese semiconductor manufacturer, investing over €170 million to support the expansion of an existing logic chip factory. This investment highlights the company's commitment to providing essential materials that ensure clean environments for advanced chip production.
The significance of this investment lies in Air Liquide's role as a key partner in the semiconductor ecosystem, as emphasized by Ronnie Chalmers, a member of the Comex responsible for the Asia Pacific region. This move comes at a time when Japan is striving to regain its semiconductor market share, which has drastically declined from approximately 50% in the 1980s to around 10% in the 2020s.
Looking ahead, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has set a goal to increase the semiconductor market size to about ¥15 trillion (approximately €82.5 billion) by 2030. Air Liquide's previous investment of €200 million in April for two units in Hiroshima further underscores its commitment to supporting Japan's semiconductor industry growth. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Editor's Note
Air Liquide's substantial investment in Japan's semiconductor sector reflects the growing importance of advanced manufacturing capabilities in the global supply chain. As countries like Japan seek to enhance their semiconductor production, partnerships with established suppliers like Air Liquide will be crucial for meeting the demands of emerging technologies, including AI and IoT applications.
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