The Linde Electronics R&D Center will be used for improvement of product quality through advanced synthesis, purification, packaging and new applications development. These improvements are enabled by Linde's advanced analytical processes and quality control systems that verify compositions and manage impurities.

The R&D Center is part of an ongoing expansion and investment in the Asia Pacific region for Linde Electronics. Last year Linde commissioned the world's largest on-site fluorine plant to supply SK Hynix, in addition to bringing multiple new electronics project on-stream in Asia. This year Linde announced that they have been awarded multiple gas and chemical supply wins for a number of world-leading photovoltaic cell manufacturers in Southeast Asia.

In recognizing the growing need to collaborate with key regional partners, Linde will also be strengthening their local research network. As a first important step, Linde will be entering into a collaboration agreement with the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) in Taiwan .

The Vice President of ITRI, Jia-Ruey Duann , stated, "ITRI Values the cooperation on Electronic Specialty Gases (ESG) Production & Analysis with The Linde Group, and we look forward to working together to develop new products and services that benefit Taiwan's electronics industry."

Working closely with local research partners and customers the new center will also support development of local supply chains and local special gases manufacturing capabilities.

"Inventiveness and innovation are ingrained in Linde's DNA. The official opening of the Electronics R&D Center in Taiwan provides further proof of the importance of Asia for our electronics business and our customer-centric approach to development. This latest investment in our R&D capabilities in the region sends a strong signal confirming Asia's role as an innovation hub for Linde and our development partners," commented Sanjiv Lamba , Member of the Executive Board of The Linde Group and Chief Operating Officer of Asia Pacific .

Linde has existing R&D Centers in the US, Europe and China supporting the application activities in those regions. These centers will collaborate in global and local R&D initiatives through the sharing of technology, training and capability building in applications technology development.