Linde strengthens its position in the growing electronic gases market
The Linde technology group has signed an agreement with Taiyo Nippon Sanso to acquire a 51 percent stake in the joint venture MNS Nippon Sanso, thereby enhancing its position in the electronic gases business. The transaction is subject to the approval of the responsible anti-trust authorities. Following Air Liquide's acquisition of core activities from the German industrial gas company Messer Griesheim, the French group had until recently been the majority shareholder. Air Liquide has sold its shares to the joint venture partner Taiyo Nippon Sanso for anti-trust reasons.
The joint venture, based in Krefeld, Germany, supplies the European electronics industry with specialty gases such as silane and diborane, liquefied gases such as nitrogen and argon, as well as with the related services and equipment. These products are employed in the manufacture of for example memory chips, processors, flat panel displays, and solar cells.
"This joint venture will allow us to improve our position in a segment that is enjoying above-average growth, in our core market Europe," explained Dr. Aldo Belloni, Member of the Linde AG Executive Board and CEO of Linde Gas and Engineering. "Together with our partner, Taiyo Nippon Sanso, which has been successful in the electronic gases market for decades, we will be able to utilize our excellent infrastructure in Europe more efficiently to the benefit of our customers."
The joint venture shall bear the name Linde Nippon Sanso GmbH & Co. KG, under the new ownership structure.
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