Electronics: Air Liquide signs a major contract with China’s leading display manufacturer

Worldwide demand for next-generation flat panel displays is booming, driven by the increasing popularity of smart phones and tablets as well as ultra-high-definition screens. China has now become the largest consumer market for electronic goods in the world. In recent years, several manufacturers have built state-of-the-art flat panel display fabs to meet local and overseas demand.

Air Liquide is further expanding its relationship with BOE Technology Group with a major contract award to supply BOE’s new G8.5 Flat Panel Display Device and System Project located in Chongqing, China.

The project - a new display production line - will be commissioned in the first half of 2015 and produce displays for laptops, tablets and high-end monitors, using BOE independent core technologies such as Oxide-TFT or touch technology. Air Liquide will invest 30 million euros in a high efficiency, turnkey on-site gas supply system that will produce 30,000 Nm³/h of ultra-high purity nitrogen and associated bulk gas infrastructure.

With this new contract, Air Liquide will supply the majority of BOE’s fabs in China with a total of 100,000 Nm³/h of nitrogen for sites in Beijing, Chengdu, Hefei, Ordos and Chongqing.

Founded in 1993, BOE has become the largest supplier focusing on flat panel display technologies, products and solutions in mainland China. BOE ranks top 5 in the global industry in terms of shipment and market share. Up to now, BOE’s accumulated usable patents total over 18,000, with newly increased 4,282 patent applications in 2013.

Mr. Liu Xiaodong, Chief Operating Officer of BOE, commented: “Air Liquide has proven its competitiveness, its supply reliability, and its responsiveness over the years. In particular, Air Liquide understands our needs and is a source of ideas in the development of added-value solutions. We are pleased to count on Air Liquide for this new project in Chongqing and we look forward to a long and fruitful cooperation with Air Liquide.”

Michael J. Graff, Air Liquide Group Senior Vice-President for the Americas and Executive Committee member overseeing Electronics, commented: “This new contract highlights the long-term partnership and the confidence placed in Air Liquide by BOE for their latest Oxide-TFT display fab in Chongqing. This new contract attests to our ability to supply electronics customers with products and services that meet the highest standards, and reaffirms the value and competitiveness of our offer and our position in the fast-growing flat panel industry in China and advanced display technologies in Asia.”