Praxair to expand nitrogen capacity to support Samsung’s semiconductor fab

Industrial gas company Praxair revealed its plans to expand nitrogen capacity at its South Korean plant being constructed in Pyeongtaek in order to address growing demand of the gas at the semiconductor manufacturing complex of Samsung Electronics.

The Pyeongtaek facility with an investment of around $600 million will comprise several hydrogen plants and air separation units that will supply industrial gases for Samsung Electronics.

The project, which was announced in early 2018, is the largest ever investment for Praxair, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Linde.

Praxair is initiating the Pyeongtaek project in multiple phases. Apart from the hydrogen and high purity air separation plants, the company will also build various purifiers and an extensive pipeline system to deliver atmospheric, process and various specialty gases to Samsung Electronics.

Praxair to expand nitrogen capacity to support Samsung’s semiconductor fab in Pyeongtaek. Photo courtesy of SAMSUNG.

B.S. Sung – president of Praxair Korea, said: “We are pleased to meet the requirements of Samsung’s world-class semiconductor fab to support increasing demand in the region.

“This further strengthens our longstanding relationship with Samsung as we continue to provide a reliable supply of industrial gases and innovative technologies that enable them to serve their electronics customers globally, driving efficiency and growth.”

In July 2017, Samsung Electronics reported that a new semiconductor fabrication line at its Pyeongtaek campus started mass production and shipping of its first product to customers.

The facility focuses on the production of the company’s fourth-generation V-NAND (64 layers), adding to its capacity for cutting-edge memory products.

By 2021, Samsung Electronics plans to inject KRW 30 trillion ($27 billion) into its current Pyeongtaek plant to grow its semiconductor fabrication capacity.