31 January 2014

Showa Denko doubles high-purity ammonia production capacity in China

Tokyo-based Showa Denko K.K. (SDK) has increased the production capacity for high-purity ammonia at its manufacturing subsidiary in Zhejiang Province, China, from 1000 tons per year to 2000 tons per year. The expanded facility started operation in January.

High-purity ammonia is used for nitride film deposition in manufacturing liquid-crystal display (LCD) panels and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). While LEDs are used for general lighting and backlights for LCDs, the LED market in China is growing for new applications such as landscape lighting and large screens, in addition to general lighting. SDK says that it has hence strengthened its supply system to meet the growing demand for high-purity ammonia in East Asia, where electronics production sites are integrated.

SDK operates three high-purity ammonia plants, one each in Japan (the 1500t/y Kawasaki Plant in Kawasaki City), Taiwan (the 2500t/y Taiwan Showa Chemicals Manufacturing Co Ltd in Tainan City) and China (the 2000 t/y Zhejiang Quzhou Juhua Showa Electronic Chemical Materials Co Ltd in Quzhou City, Zhejiang Province). After the capacity expansion in China, SDK now has a total high-purity ammonia production capacity of 6000 tons per year (as of 31 January). Previously, in second-half 2011, SDK increased capacity from 3000tpy to 5000tpy.

Under its consolidated business plan PEGASUS Phase II, SDK classifies the semiconductor-processing high-purity gas business as a ‘Growth’ business. SDK will hence aim to further globalize the business this year, strengthening its production/distribution system in Asia and expanding sales.

See related items:

SDK to transfer GaN LED business to subsidiary TS Opto on 1 December

SDK to boost high-purity ammonia production

Tags: SDK High-purity ammonia GaN LEDs

Visit: www.sdk.co.jp