Air Liquide, a French multinational company, has committed nearly €200 million to support SK hynix’s new AI chip project in South Korea. The investment stems from a long-term agreement aimed at enhancing the company’s advanced packaging capabilities for High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) chips.
Investment Details
The considerable investment will fund the establishment of a nitrogen production unit. This facility will be located at SK hynix’s packaging and testing fab, known as “P&T7,” in Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk province. Operations are anticipated to commence in late 2027.
High-Purity Gases Supply
The new production unit will specialize in supplying high-purity gases and compressed air. These resources are vital for the advanced packaging processes of HBM chips, which are essential for artificial intelligence (AI) technology development.
Strategic Partnership and Growth
- Investment: Nearly €200 million
- Location: Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk province, South Korea
- Facility Operations: Expected to start in late 2027
- Focus: Advanced packaging of HBM chips for AI applications
Air Liquide’s collaboration with SK hynix will leverage its proprietary technologies in ultra-high purity carrier gases. The integration with DIG Airgas, which was acquired earlier this year, will provide enhanced local support and access to nearly 20 projects in the region.
Supporting AI Development
Ronnie Chalmers, Vice President of Air Liquide, emphasized the importance of this partnership. He stated that the combination of local expertise and international innovation will enable the company to contribute significantly to the AI landscape.
By investing in advanced manufacturing capabilities, Air Liquide aims to expand its influence in the rapidly growing semiconductor market. This strategic move reinforces its commitment to supporting the technological advancements led by SK hynix in the AI sector.
