News

Linde signs supply contract and joint development programme with solar cell producer Malibu

Munich, 19 March 2008 - Linde Nippon Sanso (LNS), a company of The Linde Group, has signed an exclusive contract with Malibu GmbH & Co. KG in Bielefeld, Germany, to supply all of the gases needed to make photovoltaic modules. The long term contract comprises over-the-fence supply of nitrogen (N2) hydrogen (H2), silane (SiH4), nitrogen trifluoride (NF3), argon (Ar), and helium (He).
The turnkey installation includes a complete gas distribution network and gas leak detection system. LNS will also provide on-site gas and chemical management services.

Additionally, Linde and Malibu have entered into a Joint Development Programme for the development of advanced gas technology to improve cell efficiency, throughput and yield. Malibu is a joint venture between energy service porvider E.ON and Schüco, a major worldwide provider of building envelope systems.

"This contract shall prove to be strategically invaluable for Linde's fast growing Photovoltaic business", said Dr. Adlo Belloni, member of the Executive Board of Linde AG. "The joint development programme will allow us to further develop our gas technology and to contribute to reducing the cost per watt in solar cell production" , added Andreas Günther, president of Linde Nippon Sanso.

Using the innovative thin-film technology, Malibu will initially construct a 40 megawatt (MW) photovoltaic module production line in Osterweddingen, Germany, incorporating multi-layer cell technology for increased efficiency. As the plant is scheduled to increase in size, Linde will add N2, H2 and fluorine (F2) on-site plants.

For more information, see The Linde Group website at http://www.linde.com/

For additional information:
The Linde Group, Stefan Metz (Telephone: +49.89.35757-1322)

Linde Nippon Sanso wins exclusive gas supply contract at leading Austrian solar energy corporation

Blue Chip Energy GmbH, the leading solar cell manufacturer in Austria, has contracted Linde Nippon Sanso (LNS) to provide the entire supply of gases needed for their new facility in Guessing, Austria.
The Blue Chip plant, which will be fully operational in spring 2008, is Austria's first solar cell plant and will manufacture 800,000 square metres of solar cells per year, enough to provide power to 16,000 households.

The long term contract comprises exclusive supply of all gases to the solar cell production line including nitrogen (N2), silane (SiH4), nitrous oxide (N20) and ammonia (NH3). LNS will also provide on-site Total Gas Management services.

Large volumes of inert nitrogen gas are required in the manufacturing process, while SiH4 and NH3 are used to chemically deposit the anti-reflective coating, which give the cells the characteristic blue colour, and also erves the essential function of trapping the light inside the cell to maximise the conversion efficiency.

"We are delighted to have been chosen as the gas supplier to Blue Chip for this exciting & pioneering project", said Andreas Guenther, President of Linde Nippon Sanso. "Our advanced gas technologies offer clear advantages to solar cell manufacturers, and this award further reinforces our leading position in Europe".

Linde Nippon Sanso is a joint venture of the technology group The Linde Group and the Japanese Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corp. The corporation, headquartered in Pullach near Munich, Germany, offers gases, turnkey supply systems and services for numeroous applications in semiconductor, solar cell, and optical fibre porduction.

Rainer Stowasser of Blue Chip Energy addes "LNS is the leading electronic gas supplier in Austria an will bring us security of supply and provide access to a wide range of gas technologies. Furthermore we will be looking to their world-wide experience in suppying solar cell manufacturers to help us achieve a smooth start-up, optimise gas consumption and minimise environmental impact."

Blue Chip Enrgy will invest € 50 million in the first phase of the plant. The plant will create some 140 new jobs, and is sponsored by the Region of Burgenland, the Austrian government, and the EU. Some 81 % of Blue Chip is held by investment company I-Sol Ventures GmbH, and 19 % by German photovoltaic module maker Solon AG.

The Linde Group is a world-leading gases and engineering company with around 50,000 employees working in more than 70 countries worldwide. Following the acquisition of the The BOC Group plc, the company has sales of around 12 billion Euros per annum. The strategy of The Linde Group is geared towards earnings-based growth and focuses on the expansion of its international business with forward-looking products and servcies.
For more information, please see The Linde Group online at http://www.linde.com/

European Photovoltaic Conference Sept 03-06, 2007 in Milano
 - Visit Linde Nippon Sanso

This conference and exhibition is the worldwide largest event specialised on Photovoltaic Solar Energy. The new trade fair centre in Milano will be the location for this global event. This conference is bringing together scientific experts, application engineers, suppliers and members of associations to discuss the newest technical and political developments. Supported by the European Commission and UNESCO, it is the ideal forum to meet the European Photovoltaic Community.
Linde Nippon Sanso as one of the leading suppliers to the European Semiconductor and Photovoltaic Industry will exhibit in Milano. Electronic gas products from our specialty gas plant, which is the most modern in Europe, are being presented, as well as other gas supply solutions. Please use this opportunity to talk with our experts about our product offerings and service concepts.
http://www.photovoltaic-conference.com/

Semicon Europa Oct. 09-11, 2007 in Stuttgart
 - Visit Linde Nippon Sanso

This trade show is the major annual event for the European Semiconductor Industry. The new trade fair centre in Stuttgart will be the location for this year's Semicon Europa. This trade show is focusing on Semiconductor production and the ideal venue for suppliers and customers. A technical programme will be held throughout this week.
Linde Nippon Sanso as one of the leading suppliers to the European Semiconductor and Photovoltaic Industry will exhibit in Stuttgart. Electronic gas products from our specialty gas plant, which is the most modern in Europe, are being presented, as well as other gas supply solutions. Please use this opportunity to talk with our experts about our product offerings and service concepts.
wps2a.semi.org/wps/portal/_pagr/128/_pa.128/463

Linde Nippon Sanso provides leading solar energy corporation

Conergy AG, Europe's leading solar energy corporation, has contracted Linde Nippon Sanso with providing their entire supply of gases needed for their facilities in Frankfurt (Oder), Germany. The long-term contracts have an eight-figure value and comprise the construction and operation of on-site nitrogen production, the complete supply of bulk and special gases, as well as the development and operation of a gus supply system within the framework of a so-called Total Gas & Chemical Management. The gas supply contract also includes, aside from nitrogen, argon, helium, hydorgen, ammonia and silane.
Conergy is currently building the world's most modern manufacturing facilities for a fully automated and integrated production of solar wafers, cells and modules at Frankfurt (Oder). The first modules will leave the assembly line in the second half of 2007; more than 1,000 new jobs will be created in the medium term.

"We are glad to be the gas supplier for this demanding, future-geared project. This assignment is further proof of the growing application opportunities for technical gases in the field of renewable energies", said Dr. Aldo Belloni, member of the executive board of Linde AG.

Linde Nippon Sanso is a joint venture of the technology group The Linde Group and the Japanese Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corp. The corporation, headquartered in Krefeld, Germany, offers gases, supply systems and services for nearly every application in the areas of semiconductor, solar cell, and fibre optic production.

May 2, 2007 

Grand Opening, Munich, 15 Sept. 2006:
LNS & Linde inaugurate the most advanced electronic gases production facility in Europe.

Linde?s new electronic gases filling plant in Munich is the technologically most advanced in Europe and a global benchmark. This state-of-the-art production facility combined with well-established global sourcing guarantees leading quality, highest purity and reliable availability of our electronic gases. Quality, safety, environmental protection and process efficiency are top priorities for our production ensuring world-class support for our customers.

ESG plant details

Linde Nippon Sanso and Linde are proud to announce that the official inauguration ceremony will take place on 15th September 2006 in the presence of executive board members of Taiyo Nippon Sanso and Linde AG. The plant opening is an important milestone in our ongoing commitment to the European semiconductor, photovoltaic and fibre optics industries.
 Download flyer (PDF, 535 kB)

LNS continue and reinforce the efforts to supply advanced products that fulfil the highest demands of our customers. In addition, our ongoing product development activities permanently improve our portfolio in accordance with the technological requirements of the semiconductor roadmap.

Merger creates world-leading industrial gases and engineering company

Announcement of management team

New head offices in Munich, Germany and Surrey, UK

Equipment businesses of BOC Edwards will be sold

Material Handling business segment to be restructured as "KION Group" comprising three brands: Linde, STILL and OM

The Linde Group

The new company will trade under the name "The Linde Group". A new brand has been designed based on the long tradition and corporate heritage of both companies, but which also represents the newly international character of  the company. The name change applies to the group only. On the operating level, the Linde and BOC brands will remain unchanged.
more

Visit Linde Nippon Sanso at the 21st European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition
4 - 7 Sept. 2006, Dresden, Germany, Exhibition & Convention Centre, hall 5, booth 98

The 21st PV Conference & Exhibition (EU PVSEC) is the World?s largest specialist Conference in the Photovoltaic Solar Energy sector which uniquely combines scientific and technological issues. The EU PVSEC brings together research and development experts, industry, utilities, political actors, architects and end-users.

We cordially invite you to visit LNS at our booth 98 in hall 5. As a company fully dedicated to the photovoltaic industry in Europe we look forward to giving you a personal and warm welcome.

With our new state-of-the-art specialty gas plant which is the most modern in Europe we will continue to supply high purity electronic gases and gas mixtures, for example: NH₃, SiH₄, dopant mixtures, etching and cleaning gases ...
Please also take this opportunity to discuss your Bulk & On-site supply and TGM projects with our experts. LNS is a European-wide market leader in these fields and offer you a range of services from friendly advice to complete turn-key solutions.

EU PVSEC 2006 

March 2006 - LNS is the only European semiconductor gas company to achieve the ISO/TS 16949 quality management certification together with Linde's Electronic Gases production.
Linde Nippon Sanso are proud to announce that we are fully certified according to all relevant and most demanding quality and environmental standards in the electronics industry:

ISO/TS 16949 Quality Management (in accordance with highest automotive/ semiconductor standards) together with the Electronic Gases Production of Linde Gas
ISO 9001 Quality Management
ISO 14001 Environmental Management (following the new level of ISO 14001)

As a responsible and reliable partner for our customers we are continuously controlling and improving our processes and operations. To ensure the success of your processes and products we only accept and apply the highest standards for our own business.
Company certifications Linde Nippon Sanso

Contact Linde Nippon Sanso