On the 20th, Air Liquide, a world-renowned chemical company as well as a leader in the industrial gas field, completed construction of its production facility in Jangan I High-Tech Industrial Complex, which is jointly operated by Gyeonggi and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

Around 70 people attended the completion ceremony, including Nam Choong-hee, Vice Governor for Economic and Political Affairs at Gyeonggi Province, Jerome Pasquier,  French Ambassador to Korea, Kwongweng Mok, CEO of North East Asia & South East Asia (Singapore), Chris Clark, President and Representative Director(CEO), David-Pierre JALICON, Chairman of FKCCI and Steve Duckworth, Vice President of ECCK.

Air Liquide was founded in 1902 in France. It is a global company which ranks number one in the world in terms of market share in the industrial gas sector, recording sales of around 22 trillion won. 

Air Liquide Korea was established in 1996 and employs around 200 people. Its annual sales is around 430 billion won and it has continuously invested mostly in the production of industrial gases.

Chemical materials for semiconductors will be produced in the newly built facility in Hwaseong, which marks Air Liquide’s first investment in the electronic materials field.

Considering the fact that 60% of Air Liquide’s sales in electronic materials is from Asia, it is highly likely that the new facility in Hwaseong will play a role as the base for new materials for semiconductors in Asia.

Around 13 billion won has been invested in building the new facility. It is reported that the new facility will contribute greatly in vitalizing the local economy as it will create 35 new jobs.

Air Liquide Korea said, “Gyeonggi Province is an optimal location since it has excellent R&D human resources, infrastructure for research and houses global clients in the semiconductor field.”

Nam Choong-hee, Vice Governor for Economic and Political Affairs at Gyeonggi Province, who was present at the ceremony said, “Gyeonggi Province promises to exert its utmost efforts in providing all necessary administrative support and improving the business environment for global businesses to successfully carry out its businesses in the province”.