Expansion will serve regional demand growth for semiconductors and flat panel displays
February 12, 2007 — /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. — Air Products (NYSE:APD) today announced it has broken ground on the first phase of its nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) plant in Ulsan, Korea. The new production facility, which will be operated by Air Products Korea Electronics, will produce more than 500 metric tons per year when completed in late 2007.
“The recent groundbreaking reinforces our commitment to our semiconductor and TFT-LCD customers around the globe that we will remain the world’s leading supplier of NF3,” said Corning Painter, vice president, Electronics at Air Products.
NF3 is used as a chamber cleaning gas in the manufacture of semiconductors, flat panel displays and other electronic devices. When compared with competing devices, NF3 offers customers significant reductions in emissions, throughput increases of up to 30 percent, longer chamber life and faster clean rates. NF3 is also stable and nonflammable, making it a safe gas to transport, store and deliver to customers around the world.
Upon completion, Air Products global capacity will be more than 2,500 metric tons annually. The company has safely manufactured and distributed NF3 for more than 25 years from its manufacturing facility in Hometown, Pa. Air Products will continue to operate its three existing NF3 plants at that location to ensure a reliable global supply of NF3.
Air Products (NYSE:APD) serves customers in industrial, energy, technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and equipment and services. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment and is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability and FTSE4Good Indices. The company has annual revenues of $9 billion, operations in over 40 countries, and over 20,000 employees around the globe. For more information, visit http://www.airproducts.com/.
***NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations.
Source: Air Products
CONTACT: Media Inquiries: (Asia) Jessica Cheng, (852) 2863-0585,
[email protected], or (U.S.) Robert Brown, +1-610-481-1192,
[email protected]; or Investor Inquiries: Nelson Squires,
+1-610-481-7461, [email protected], all of Air Products
Web site: http://www.airproducts.com/