Global Industrial Gas Company 'Linde' to Invest 1.7 Trillion KRW in Gyeonggi Province

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] The global industrial gas company 'Linde' has decided to invest $1.5 billion (approximately 1.7 trillion KRW) to build and expand hydrogen charging stations and industrial gas facilities in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province.

This is the largest foreign investment attracted by Gyeonggi Province this year.

On the 16th, Gyeonggi 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 to cooperate on establishing hydrogen charging stations and industrial gas facilities. Sanjiv Lamba, Linde's Chief Operating Officer, attended via video call from the United States.

Governor Lee Jae-myung stated, "Gyeonggi Province is the center of the global semiconductor industry, and establishing a smooth supply system for industrial gases is expected to greatly enhance the international competitiveness of the semiconductor industry. Globally, the climate crisis demands an energy transition, which is already underway. I hope Linde, Gyeonggi Province, and Pyeongtaek City can collaborate to find a path where everyone succeeds."

He continued, "Currently, global low growth is a problem, and especially employment issues are critical. The main pillar of the market economy is companies, and growth is driven by companies. Gyeonggi Province always welcomes investment and will spare no administrative support to help companies settle stably," he promised.

Sanjiv Lamba, Linde's Chief Operating Officer, expressed deep gratitude, saying, "Since the operation of the Giheung plant in 1980, the company has continuously grown and developed thanks to much support and cooperation from Gyeonggi Province. Gyeonggi Province is showing a leading movement toward clean energy transition, and Linde has world-class technology in hydrogen overall. Based on our partnership so far, we will continue to strive for more investment and mutual development."

According to the investment agreement signed that day, Linde will invest $1.5 billion to install hydrogen charging stations and build and expand industrial gas facilities in Gyeonggi Province.

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

Additionally, centered on Linde's Pyeongtaek plant in Godeok-myeon, Pyeongtaek City, gas facilities will be newly built and expanded to supply industrial gases more stably to major system semiconductor customers.

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

Gyeonggi Province and Pyeongtaek City have agreed to provide administrative support and work to resolve various difficulties so that Linde can successfully execute this investment plan.

The province expects that by establishing industrial gas facilities and stably supplying gases to major domestic customers, Linde will greatly help Korea's semiconductor industry maintain its world No. 1 position, and that Linde, which holds core hydrogen-related technologies, will also contribute to expanding the hydrogen ecosystem. Linde plans to prioritize hiring Gyeonggi residents, anticipating the creation of about 60 new jobs to revitalize the local economy.

Founded in 1897, Linde is a global industrial gas company generating annual sales of $28 billion by supplying industrial gases and related equipment to various manufacturing sectors including semiconductors, petrochemicals, food and beverages, and advanced displays.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.