Linde’s Strategic Gas Supply Expansion to Samsung: A Cornerstone of Asia’s High-Tech Future

The semiconductor and display industries are the engines of the digital age, and their growth hinges on a resource far less visible than silicon wafers or OLED panels: industrial gases. Linde plc, now part of Air Liquide following a transformative 2023 merger, has solidified its position as a linchpin of this critical supply chain through a series of landmark agreements with Samsung, South Korea’s industrial colossus. These deals, spanning semiconductors, displays, and green hydrogen infrastructure, underscore the strategic importance of specialized gases in enabling Asia’s technological ambitions—and present a compelling investment narrative for those betting on the region’s high-tech future.

The Heart of the Deal: Semiconductors and Specialty Gases

The linchpin of Linde’s partnership with Samsung lies in its 2023 agreements with Samsung Display and Samsung Electronics. These 10-year contracts, worth a combined $2.1 billion, ensure a steady supply of ultra-high-purity gases like nitrogen, argon, and hydrogen to support Samsung’s semiconductor and display manufacturing. For instance, Samsung Display’s new Amaekyung campus in South Korea now relies on Linde’s onsite gas production facilities to deliver gases essential for fabricating next-generation OLED panels and semiconductor components.