Trade News
Linde Korea officially opens its second air separation plant in Giheung
New plant will produce high purity industrial gases required by Korean manufacturing companies
The Linde Group has invested around USD 235 million (about KRW 270 billion / EUR 170 million) in South Korea over the past six years to install industrial gases facilities, contributing to the country’s industrial growth and economic success.
Seoul, Korea, 25 October 2011 - Linde Korea, a member of The Linde Group, today held a ceremonial event to celebrate the completion of its second air separation plant in Giheung, which has a total investment value of USD 180 million (about KRW 206 billion / EUR 130 million). The ceremony was graced by Mr Hak-Kyu Kim, Mayor of Yongin, Mr Moon Yeon Ho, Director General of Gyeonggi Province, Mr Sanjiv Lamba, Member of the Executive Board of Linde AG, and Mr Brett Kimber, President of Linde Korea.
Linde Korea's new facility is capable of producing high purity industrial gases which are required in diverse manufacturing processes. With the additional capacity from its new plant, Linde Korea is well-positioned to supply the rising requirements for nitrogen, oxygen and argon from its customers involved in the steel, electronics, semiconductor, metal, glass, shipbuilding, automotive and petrochemical industries.
Mr Brett Kimber, President of Linde Korea said, "We are very grateful for the strong support provided by Yongin city and Gyeonggi province since the signing of our MOU in 2008 for Linde to construct our Giheung 2 plant. Linde Korea has a long-standing commitment to continuously enhance our supply and service capabilities to support our valued customers across the country and ensure we are well-placed to meet future demand and market opportunities. In particular, our new plant is able to provide our customers in the electronics and semiconductor industries such as Samsung Electronics with stable and reliable local supplies of ultra high purity nitrogen and other industrial gases which are critical in their production processes."
Mr Sanjiv Lamba, Member of the Executive Board of Linde AG said, "Asia is a key market for The Linde Group, and we aspire to grow our business in Asia and in Korea in the longer term. I am delighted to witness the official completion ceremony of our new Giheung 2 plant, which is Linde's single largest investment in the country. This plant, along with our latest investment decision to construct a new nitrous oxide plant at Chungnam Asan, demonstrates our strong and steadfast commitment to continue to expand our business in Korea. It also reaffirms our commitment to partner our major Korean customers in their growth plans, not just in Korea but also in the wider Asia Pacific region and beyond."
Mayor of Yongin city, Mr Hak-Kyu Kim said, "On behalf of the government of Yongin city, I would like to offer my congratulations to Linde Korea on the completion of its second Giheung plant. Reliable, cost effective supply of gases plays a vital role in supporting Korean semiconductor and electronics companies to increase their competitiveness in the global market, and I am grateful to The Linde Group and Linde Korea for their efforts and investments that enabled the completion of this important plant. Please be assured of my continued strong support and cooperation to The Linde Group and Linde Korea, and Yongin city looks forward to continuing our very successful partnership."
Since its establishment in Pohang in 1988, Linde Korea has continuously expanded its product and services portfolio as well as its footprint across the country. Linde Korea's customers include major Korean conglomerates such as Samsung, LG, Posco, Honam Petrochemical, and Hynix.
The company recently announced it will be constructing a new 5,200 tons per annum nitrous oxide production plant in Chungnam Asan, the biggest of its kind in Korea. Linde Korea also operates industrial gas facilities in Dangjin and Chungnam Daesan Petrochemical Complex and two factories in Pohang.
About Linde Korea:
Linde Korea, a member of The Linde Group, manufactures and distributes industrial, specialty and medical gases, and provides a range of related services including the installation of gas equipment, pipelines, on site plants and associated engineering services. Linde Korea operates in eight locations across South Korea and is committed to delivering quality and reliable services that create value for our customers.
For more information, see Linde Korea's website at: http://www.lindekorea.com
About The Linde Group:
The Linde Group is a world-leading gases and engineering company with around 49,100 employees working in more than 100 countries worldwide. In the 2010 financial year, it achieved sales of 12.868 billion euro. The strategy of The Linde Group is geared towards sustainable earnings-based growth and focuses on the expansion of its international business with forward-looking products and services. Linde acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners, employees, society and the environment – in every one of its business areas, regions and locations across the globe. Linde is committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development.
For more information, see The Linde Group online at http://www.linde.com