LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa.,
Dec. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Air
Products (NYSE: APD) and Dow Corning -- a global leader in
silicones, silicon-based technology and innovation -- entered into
a long-term supply agreement for electronic-grade silane, a
material used for manufacturing flat panel displays, semiconductors
and photovoltaic cells.
The agreement provides Air Products with access to significant
silane volume to meet the present and future needs of its global
customers, as well as the future growth of the electronics and
solar industry.
"This agreement further demonstrates Air Products' commitment to
our silane customers around the world, as well as the global
electronics industry," said Wayne
Mitchell, vice president of Electronics for Air Products.
"With over 20 years of experience supplying silane around the
world, Air Products is an industry safety leader, providing
extensive training to customers in the handling and storage of
silane. We believe that Air Products will provide the electronics
market with a high quality, reliable and safe solution for their
long-term silane requirements."
"Dow Corning and Air Products combine the strength of a silicon
manufacturing leader with the expertise and infrastructure
capabilities of a global gas distributor to the electronics
industry," according to Jim Helwick,
vice president, Dow Corning Electronics Solutions. "Air Products,
with its commitment to the long-term supply of ultra-high purity
silane, is a great channel partner for Dow Corning," Jim added.
"With our silane capacity fully dedicated to the merchant market
under a global distributor channel-to-market business model, Dow
Corning is offering a cost competitive and reliable first or second
source of silane," said Eric
Peeters, Dow Corning vice president, Solar Solutions. "The
plant's consistent purity and our track record of quality in
silicon-based products make silane from Dow Corning a switch
customers can make with confidence."
Dow Corning has been producing electronic-grade silane since
March 2011 in a newly constructed,
state-of-the-art, fully vertically integrated plant in Thomas
Township, Mich., adjacent to the polysilicon manufacturing plant of
Hemlock Semiconductor Group, of which Dow Corning is majority
shareholder. Dow Corning's silane plant, recently
ISO-9001:2000 certified with zero non-conformities and zero
opportunities for improvement, has a world-leading capacity of
4,000 metric tons per year, producing silane at the same or even
higher level of purity currently offered in the market.
About Air Products
Air Products (NYSE: APD) serves customers in industrial,
energy, technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique
portfolio of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases,
performance materials, and equipment and services. Founded in 1940,
Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such
as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare
services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and
adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture,
operational excellence and commitment to safety and the
environment. In fiscal 2011, Air Products had revenues of
$10.1 billion, operations in over 40
countries, and 18,900 employees around the globe. For more
information, visit www.airproducts.com.
About Dow Corning
Dow Corning (www.dowcorning.com) provides
performance-enhancing solutions to serve the diverse needs of more
than 25,000 customers worldwide. A global leader in silicones,
silicon-based technology and innovation, Dow Corning offers more
than 7,000 products and services via the company's Dow
Corning® and XIAMETER® brands. Dow Corning is equally owned by
The Dow Chemical Company and Corning, Incorporated. More than half
of Dow Corning's annual sales are outside the United States.
***NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements
within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are
based on management's reasonable expectations and assumptions as of
the date of this release regarding important risk factors. Actual
performance and financial results may differ materially from
projections and estimates expressed in the forward-looking
statements because of many factors not anticipated by management,
including risk factors described in the Company's Form 10K for its
fiscal year ended September 30,
2011.
SOURCE Air Products