The Tsukuba (Japan) RD centre celebrates 20 years

Today, Air Liquide Laboratories is at the leading edge of electronics. Research conducted has enabled recent development of the ALOHA range of advanced precursors, new molecules essential in the manufacture of latest generation chips, and JUMBO, the specialty high purity gas solution for very large volumes used in the manufacture of flat screens. The strategic position of this centre enables us to forge close relations with Asian manufacturers of semi-conductors and flat screens. To do so, Air Liquide Laboratories has set up a team jointly with ITRI (Industrial Technology Research Institute of Taiwan) to extend the offer for new generations of flat screens.

Parallel to this historical activity, Air Liquide Laboratories is looking into new research topics in the fields of hydrogen for use as clean energy, the environment and food safety. François Jackow, Vice-President Research & Advanced Technologies of the Air Liquide group, declared: “We are delighted to be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the presence of our research in Japan. Working in close partnership with our customers, we are at the leading edge of the extremely dynamic electronics markets. Our Tsukuba centre also has leverage on research activities in Japan, a country which is a technological leader, with almost 20% of world R&D efforts. It is also a genuine platform of innovation serving expanding Asian markets.” Air Liquide Laboratories is one of eight research centres in the Air Liquide group.

Group R&D, organized in a network to develop a high level of expertise, includes 550 researchers from 25 different nationalities. With a budget in 2005 of 165 million euros devoted to innovation, Air Liquide files an average of one patent per day.