Air Liquide Electronics continues to expand in Asia -specifically China, Vietnam and Singapore. From the start of 2007, the company has invested 50 million euros (US$68.3 million) in the region.
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In China, Air Liquide has signed a 15-year contract with SMIC (Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation, the largest and most advanced foundry in China) to supply on-site bulk carrier gases to their future Fab in the Wuhan East Lake high tech development zone.
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In Singapore, Singapore Oxygen Air Liquide Pte Ltd will provide another Total Gas and Chemical Management operations, starting September 2007, for the new 300-mm fab of the world first silicon-on-insulator manufacturer Soitec, at Pasir Wafer Fab Park, on the eastern part of the island. SOXAL will also supply an American manufacturer of memory devices in 2008 with a complete range of carrier gases, including ultra-pure nitrogen, oxygen, argon, helium and hydrogen.
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In Vietnam, in 2009, Air Liquide Electronics will supply carrier gases to a new backend facility of one of a semiconductor manufacturer in the southern region. Vietnam is emerging as a new location for semiconductors investments.