Two New Nitrogen Plants to be Built Inside Central Taiwan Science Park

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Air Products (NYSE: APD), through its subsidiary Air Products San Fu Co Ltd in Taiwan, has signed a long-term contract with Rexchip Semiconductor Corporation, a joint venture company between Powerchip Semiconductor Corporation and Elpida Memory Inc., for the supply of nitrogen and bulk gases. The gases will be supplied to Rexchip's two new 12-inch fabrication facilities (Fab R1 and R2), which are under construction in Central Taiwan Science Park (CTSP) in Houli, Taichung.

Under this contract, Air Products will build, own and operate two new nitrogen air separation plants in the CTSP.

Rexchip is a new joint venture company between Powerchip Semiconductor Corporation and Elpida Memory Inc. to operate DRAM fabrication facilities in Central Taiwan Science Park with a total planned capacity of 240,000 12' wafers per month, making the Rexchip Houli site the largest concentration of 12' DRAM fabrication facilities in the world.

The CTSP, which includes Taichung, Houli and Huwei park stations, is one of the two new government-sponsored science parks in Taiwan to attract investments and the development of high-tech industries to the central Taiwan district.

'This contract reinforces the partnership we have forged with Powerchip over the years. It also demonstrates our commitment to focus on what our customers value the most,' said David Price, regional vice president and general manager of Asia Electronics, Air Products. 'Our new investment also enables us to establish a strong position in the CTSP, which is set to be another cluster of high tech industries.'

The memory segment of the semiconductor industry is forecast to grow by up to 20 percent annually over the next five years. The strong growth in demand of memory chips is being driven by new applications in mobile communications, automobiles, game systems, portable multimedia players and personal computer operating systems.

One of the two new nitrogen plants in the CTSP will be the seventh of its kind in Asia, which is based on Air Products' high efficiency design that delivers reliable and cost-effective nitrogen to customers in the electronics sector and other industries around the world.

About Air Products

Air Products (NYSE: APD) serves customers in industrial, energy, technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and equipment and services. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment and is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability and FTSE4Good Indices. The company has annual revenues of US$10 billion, operations in over 40 countries, and over 22,000 employees around the globe. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.

About Powerchip Semiconductor Corporation (PSC)

Established in December 1994 in Taiwan Hsinchu Science Park, Powerchip Semiconductor Corp (TWO: 5346), focuses on the production and marketing of DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) products. PSC has three 12' (300mm) fabs and one 8' (200mm) fab, and over 6,200 employees. Ever since its foundation, PSC has developed long term strategic relationships with Japanese High-Tech firms.

About Elpida Memory Inc.

Elpida Memory Inc, (Tokyo Stock Exchange Code 6665), is a leading manufacturer of Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) silicon chips. Their design, manufacturing, and sales operations and are backed by their world class technology expertise.

NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations.

SOURCE Air Products

Source: PR Newswire (October 29, 2007 - 3:22 PM EDT)

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