Air Liquide: nearly €200m investment to supply SK hynix's P&T7 in Cheongju

Key highlights
  • Investment of nearly €200 million to support SK hynix's advanced HBM packaging project.
  • Air Liquide will build and operate a nitrogen production unit supplying high-purity gases and high-purity compressed air to the P&T7 fab in Cheongju.
  • Facility is scheduled to begin operations in late 2027.
  • Acquisition of DIG Airgas expanded local footprint and delivered a secured portfolio of nearly 20 projects, accelerating Air Liquide’s growth in South Korea.

Deal and scope

Air Liquide signed a long-term contract with SK hynix to supply gases and services to the new packaging and testing fab “P&T7” in Cheongju, dedicated to advanced packaging of HBM (High-Bandwidth Memory) chips. The Group will build and operate a nitrogen production unit that will provide high-purity gases and high-purity compressed air to the fab.

Investment and timeline

The project involves an investment of nearly €200 million. The new production facility is scheduled to begin operations in late 2027 and will support SK hynix’s HBM packaging activities, a critical element for AI hardware.

Strategic context

The contract follows Air Liquide’s acquisition of DIG Airgas, whose local footprint and customer relationships contributed to a secured portfolio of nearly 20 projects. The integration of DIG Airgas and Air Liquide’s ultra-high purity carrier gas technologies is presented as the driver for accelerated growth and an expanded presence in the Cheongju industrial basin, where the Group already operates several plants supporting SK hynix.

Executive comment

Ronnie Chalmers, Air Liquide Group Vice President for Asia-Pacific, said the partnership reflects confidence in the South Korean economy and the company’s commitment to the semiconductor supply chain, noting the combined local agility and global innovation brought by the DIG Airgas integration.

Source: Air Liquide