Worldwide demand for next-generation flat panel displays is booming, driven by the increasing popularity of smart phones and tablets as well as ultra-high-definition screens. China has now become the largest consumer market for electronic goods in the world. In recent years, several manufacturers have built state-of-the-art flat panel display fabs to meet local and overseas demand.

Air Liquide is further expanding its relationship with BOE Technology Group with a major contract award to supply BOE’s new G8.5 Flat Panel Display Device and System Project located in Chongqing, China.

The project, a new display production line, will be commissioned in the first half of 2015 and produce displays for laptops, tablets and high-end monitors, using BOE independent core technologies such as Oxide-TFT or touch technology. Air Liquide will invest 30 million euros in a high efficiency, turnkey on-site gas supply system that will produce 30,000 Nm3/h of ultra-high purity nitrogen and associated bulk gas infrastructure.

With this new contract, Air Liquide will supply the majority of BOE’s fabs in China with a total of 100,000 Nm3/h of nitrogen for sites in Beijing, Chengdu, Hefei, Ordos and Chongqing.