With silane (monosilane, SiH4)
demand growing by more than 25 percent per annum due to its ubiquitous
use across electronics and photovoltaic industries, Air Liquide is to
further expand production from 500 tons per year to 2,000 tons per year
via a new production plant being built and expected to be operational
in 2010.
“With this new project, Air Liquide, the only gas supplier to manufacture silane, again demonstrates its commitment to secure reliable supply to its customers,” proclaimed Christophe Fontaine, Vice President Electronics Group. “This strategic investment, complementing our new Electronics Material Centers in Asia, as well as our Jumbo™ bulk silane offer, will confirm our global leadership in Ultra Pure Silane and accelerate our growth in the pure gases market.”
The new plant will be built in Japan in association with the Denka Group through Denal, its joint-venture company in Japan. Air Liquide claims a 35 percent worldwide market share in silane.
