Nippon Sanso and Taiyo Toyo plan to combine their development, production, and distribution of semiconductor gases through a new 50-50 joint venture. The new company, to be called Japan Fine Products, will be Japan’s largest gas supplier when it starts operations in April, with sales of around $250 million (30 billion yen), and about 40% market share.

Each company will maintain its separate sales organization to market the jointly produced gas. Each will lease its production facilities to the new venture, and Toyo will put up another $17 million (2 billion yen) for new facilities. They also plan to combine their gas cabinet and other gas equipment businesses within three years.–WaferNews