Global industrial gas company Linde will invest 1.7 trillion won in Gyeonggi Province to build and expand hydrogen charging stations and industrial gas facilities for semiconductor supply.

Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung, Pyeongtaek Mayor Jeong Jang-seon, and Linde Korea Chairman Seong Baek-seok jointly signed an investment agreement at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Office on the 16th to cooperate in establishing hydrogen charging stations and industrial gas facilities. Sanjiv Lamba, Linde's chief operating officer, joined via video conference from the United States.

Under this investment agreement, Linde will invest $1.5 billion (approximately KRW 1.7 trillion) to install hydrogen charging stations and expand industrial gas facilities in Gyeonggi Province.

Linde plans to take the lead in creating a hydrogen ecosystem by installing gaseous hydrogen and liquid hydrogen charging stations in major cities in Gyeonggi Province.

In addition, the company plans to build and expand gas facilities centered around the Linde Pyeongtaek Plant in Godeok-myeon, Pyeongtaek-si, to provide a more stable supply of industrial gases to major system semiconductor customers.

Industrial gases are used in almost all industrial fields, including semiconductors, electronics, and petrochemicals, and are essential materials for improving semiconductor yield (productivity), particularly by preventing oxidation and contamination.

Gyeonggi Province and Pyeongtaek City agreed to provide administrative support and resolve various difficulties to ensure Linde's successful implementation of this investment plan.

Gyeonggi Province expects that Linde's establishment of an industrial gas facility will significantly contribute to Korea's semiconductor industry maintaining its global leadership position by stably supplying gas to major domestic customers. Furthermore, Linde, which possesses hydrogen-related core technologies, is expected to contribute significantly to the expansion of the hydrogen ecosystem.

Linde has decided to give priority to hiring Gyeonggi Province residents to revitalize the local economy, and is expected to create around 60 new jobs.

Governor Lee Jae-myung said, “Gyeonggi Province is the center of the global semiconductor industry, and I expect that establishing a smooth supply system for industrial gases will greatly contribute to enhancing the international competitiveness of the semiconductor industry.” He added, “Amid the global climate crisis, a major energy transition is necessary and is actually underway. “I hope that Lindesa, Gyeonggi Province, and Pyeongtaek City can work together to find a path to success for all,” he said.

He continued, “Low growth is a global issue, and the job market is a particularly pressing issue. The backbone of the market economy lies in businesses, and growth is ultimately the responsibility of businesses.” He emphasized, “Gyeonggi Province welcomes investment at any time and will not spare administrative support to ensure businesses can settle in.”

Pyeongtaek Mayor Jeong Jang-seon said, "Samsung Electronics' Pyeongtaek Campus, home to the world's largest semiconductor plant, is undergoing expansion. Supporting the smooth progress of this project is Pyeongtaek City's top priority, and I'm grateful for Linde's participation." He added, "The numerous buses, trucks, and ships that use Pyeongtaek Port must also prepare for the hydrogen era. I hope we can continue to cooperate in this area and create a new, eco-friendly era."

Sanjeev Lamba, Chief Operating Officer of Linde, said, “Since the opening of the Giheung plant in 1980, the company has continued to grow and develop thanks to the generous support and cooperation of Gyeonggi Province. We are deeply grateful for this. Gyeonggi Province is taking a leading role in the transition to clean energy, and Linde possesses world-class technology across all areas of hydrogen. Building on our partnership, we will continue to invest and strive for mutual growth.”

Meanwhile, Linde, founded in 1897, is a global industrial gases company that generates annual sales of $28 billion by supplying industrial gases and related equipment to various manufacturing sectors, including semiconductors, petrochemicals, food and beverage, and advanced displays.