BOC Edwards Begins Second Phase of Pipeline Network In Taiwan's Hsinchu Science Park


Construction has begun on BOC Edwards' largest ever semiconductor grade nitrogen generator.

HSINCHU SCIENCE PARK, TAIWAN (05 June 2006)-BOC Edwards, in conjunction with its Taiwan joint venture partner, BOC Lien Hwa (BOCLH), has begun work on the next phase of expansion of its nitrogen production and pipeline distribution network, at a cost of more than US $30 million, in the Hsinchu Science Park in northern Taiwan.

"This pipeline network, which has been an integral part and an enabler of the successful growth of advanced semiconductor manufacturing in Hsinchu since 1988, supplies ultra-high purity nitrogen to more than 20 advanced wafer fabrication facilities within the park," said Neels Kriek, managing director of materials and services for BOC Edwards. With a currently installed capacity of more than 100,000 Nm3 per hour of nitrogen, and more than 20km of underground pipelines, this system forms the largest high purity gas distribution network in Taiwan.

The capacity of the network has grown steadily over the past 18 years, keeping pace with the rapid development of the Taiwan semiconductor industry and the increasing gas consumption demands of each new generation of wafer fab investment. To ensure that demand can be met in the future, BOC Edwards, in its latest expansion, has begun construction of its largest ever semiconductor grade nitrogen generator, which will add a capacity of 35,000 Nm3 per hour.

"BOC Edwards is proud of the role that we, together with our partner BOCLH, have played in the growth of the Hsinchu Science Park, which has been the foundation of Taiwan's leading position in the global semiconductor industry today," said Kriek.

With a total of nine plants currently running in the park and a cross-linked grid of underground pipelines, the system provides unmatched levels of supply security-a critical requirement for semiconductor manufacturers. The addition of this large-capacity tenth plant will further strengthen capability and provide for an uninterrupted and secure gas supply to meet the continuing growth of 300mm wafer fabs in Hsinchu, which continues to be the center of Taiwan's leading edge semiconductor production and development.

"This investment follows the capacity expansion and start-up in February 2006 of an ultra-high purity liquid nitrogen plant within the Hsinchu Science Park. The addition of a large-capacity liquid nitrogen storage system will ensure that the highest levels of product availability can be maintained at all times," said Alex Tong, president of BOCLH in Taiwan.

BOC Edwards, part of The BOC Group plc, is a leading supplier of integrated solutions for the manufacture of microelectronics devices, including semiconductors and flat panel displays. Partnering with fabs, foundries and process tool manufacturers, BOC Edwards provides electronic materials and process-enabling subsystems that are supported by best-in-class operations and maintenance services for its global customer base.

Serving two million customers in more than 50 countries, The BOC Group is one of the largest and most global of the world's leading gases companies. It employs over 30,000 people, with annual sales of £4.6 billion (more than US $8 billion) in 2005. For more than a century, BOC has contributed to advances in many industries and aspects of everyday life, including steel-making, refining, chemical processing, environmental protection, wastewater treatment, welding and cutting, food processing and distribution, glass production, electronics and health care.

Information on the BOC Group can be accessed by visiting the Group web site, www.boc.com . Specific information on BOC Edwards can be found at www.bocedwards.com. E-mail inquires can be sent to info@bocedwards.com.

Company Contact: Andrew Davis +44 (0) 1293 603507
e-mail:pressrelease@bocedwards.com
Agency Contact: Sandy Fewkes +1-408-224-4024
e-mail: sandy@mind-write.com

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