Air Liquide Invests $170M in Indiana to Supply SK Hynix with Ultra-Pure Gases
Air Liquide announced on Wednesday an investment of over $170 million to construct two industrial gas production units in Indiana, aimed at supplying ultra-pure gases to the new American plant of SK hynix. This agreement extends the strategic partnership between the two companies in South Korea to support the manufacturing of high-performance memory chips for AI.
Two Production Units in Indiana to Supply SK hynix
Air Liquide will build, own, and operate two new industrial gas production facilities in the state of Indiana, under a long-term contract. These units will supply significant volumes of nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and hydrogen to SK hynix's new advanced chip packaging plant, a global pioneer in advanced memory chips. These ultra-pure gases are essential for the production of High Bandwidth Memory (HBM), a key technology where multiple layers of memory chips are stacked vertically to achieve higher computing performance and energy efficiency. The commissioning of the two units is scheduled for the end of 2028. Air Liquide will install these facilities directly on the client's site, ensuring a continuous and high-quality supply integrated into the manufacturing lines. This proximity allows meeting the stringent requirements and maintaining the high-precision environment crucial for advanced chip packaging.
Strengthening Air Liquide's Presence in the American Electronics Sector
This investment solidifies Air Liquide's position as a major supplier to the American semiconductor industry and strengthens the long-term global partnership with SK hynix, which the French group emphasized with a record investment in South Korea in June. Air Liquide has been operating in the electronics sector in the United States for 30 years, positioning itself to support SK hynix's historic expansion in North America.
