January 26, 2024. The Saxon specialist for industrial gases Air Liquide Electronics is strengthening its position as the backbone of the local semiconductor industry. A historic contract was negotiated just last year. Managing Director Wolfgang Steiner sees planned major projects such as the TSMC relocation to Dresden “as a further milestone in establishing the region as a semiconductor location in Europe”.
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Despite the difficult economic environment, industrial gases specialist Air Liquide Electronics was able to deliver reliably in 2023 and further expand its customer portfolio. The company from Ottendorf-Okrilla supplies the semiconductor industry in particular with high-purity gases, gas mixtures and specialty gases. The importance of the supplier for the local semiconductor industry is also reflected in the new contracts concluded last year: “We were able to build on the order record of 2022 and conclude the largest single contract in the history of Air Liquide Electronics. This involves two large-scale nitrogen production plants, including a backup supply, for a regional semiconductor manufacturer,” says Wolfgang Steiner, Managing Director of Air Liquide Electronics.
Tank farm projects, which are needed to build up and expand semiconductor production capacities in Dresden, were also increasingly in demand. These are so-called on-site air separation plants combined with gas tanks. As a result, the required gases can be extracted and supplied directly at the customer’s site using physical processes. These projects will ensure that customers are supplied with the industrial gases they need in future.
The industrial gases specialist also increased its own capacities in 2023 for current and new customer projects. Due to the increasing demand for specialty gases, 500 square meters of floor space in Ottendorf-Okrilla were converted into new storage space. On the other hand, the transport volume for “the last mile” to the customer was more than doubled. This means that the company can continue to guarantee a seamless, independent supply of specialty gases to customers around the clock. Wolfgang Steiner knows that this is becoming increasingly important: “The market for specialty gases has developed very well. They now account for an important share of our company’s growth.”
Specialty gases are high-purity gases and gas mixtures produced specifically for the semiconductor industry. They help, for example, to apply material to the semiconductors or remove it from the surface in a targeted manner. They also ensure the electrical conductivity of the semiconductor materials.
Industrial gas suppliers such as Air Liquide Electronics will become even more important for the regional economy in the future. The EU wants to massively expand the European semiconductor market to counter the competition from the Far East. Saxony plays a decisive role in this. A current example of this is the establishment of the manufacturer TSMC in Dresden. “We are following the developments surrounding TSMC very closely. The relocation will create another strong pillar of the European semiconductor industry here in Silicon Saxony; the economic strength and importance of the region will be further strengthened,” says Steiner.
Steiner sees the need for skilled workers as a key issue for the semiconductor industry: “The industry and its suppliers in the region are growing, because more and more electronics are needed in all areas – for example, through digitalization, automation, artificial intelligence and in electromobility.” Air Liquide Electronics already responded last year and hired new employees. These include technicians for the operation of air separation plants as well as engineers in quality management and plant construction.
“This year, we are planning to further expand our workforce. To this end, we are recruiting specialists from our international air-liquid network and working closely with regional universities. We also offer our employees benefits across all positions, such as an exchange program with the international Air Liquide locations, employee share programs, company pension plans and we are part of the IGBCE collective bargaining association.”
The international flair that the company from Ottendorf-Okrilla offers is also well received by applicants. The team is now made up of employees from 14 different countries. In addition to Germany, these include France, Italy, Venezuela, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, China, Russia, Austria, Turkey, Iran, Tunisia and Mozambique.
Air Liquide Electronics GmbH is a subsidiary of Air Liquide Deutschland GmbH and has its headquarters in Ottendorf-Okrilla near Dresden, Saxony. The company specializes in the production and supply of air and bulk gases as well as specialty gases for the semiconductor industry and equipment for gas and chemical supply systems for the semiconductor and photovoltaic industries in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Air Liquide Electronics works for global corporations as well as small and medium-sized companies and research institutes. Current activities are focused on the development and supply of novel liquid specialty gases (precursors) as well as hydrogen generation plants and infrastructure systems. Air Liquide Electronics is a founding member of the high-tech network Silicon Saxony e. V.
Around 3,750 employees work in companies of the Air Liquide Group in Germany. Air Liquide supplies 100,000 customers and over 200,000 patients in home care. Every second German hospital purchases medical oxygen from Air Liquide. Air Liquide supplies numerous industries such as the aviation, automotive, food and beverage, chemical, electronics and energy sectors and is also involved in the implementation of projects for the energy transition with hydrogen.
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👉 https://de.airliquide.com/
👉 https://de.airliquide.com/ihre-branche/electronics
Photo: Air Liquide Electronics
