GPPC partners with Japanese firm AWI to tap semiconductor specialty materials market

Taipei, Aug. 25 (CNA) Taiwan petrochemical maker Grand Pacific Petrochemical Corp. (GPPC) said Tuesday it has partnered with Japanese industrial gas manufacturer Air Water Inc. (AWI) to enter Taiwan’s fast-growing semiconductor specialty materials market, with the two companies each taking a 35 percent stake in specialty gas maker Hong-Kuang Hi-Tech, Corp.

The investment makes GPPC and AWI the two largest shareholders of Hong-Kuang Hi-Tech and is aimed at strengthening Taiwan-Japan cooperation in semiconductor specialty materials, GPPC said in a statement.

Senior executives from the strategic partners met in Osaka on Aug. 18 to discuss the partnership and future collaboration, according to GPPC.

GPPC Chairman Sherie Chiu said the investment represents an extension, rather than a departure, from GPPC’s core business, drawing on the company’s chemical industry expertise and industrial capabilities in cooperation with AWI.

AWI focuses on industrial gases as its core business. Its proprietary VSU gas plants and on-site gas supply technology are designed to ensure stable supplies while promoting energy savings, carbon reduction and lower transportation costs, according to the statement.

The Japanese company also provides ultra-high-purity bulk gases, specialty gases, equipment and engineering services, with operations spanning the semiconductor, energy, healthcare and agri-food industries.

Yoshihiro Senzai, president and executive officer of AWI, said the company regards the semiconductor industry as a key strategic priority.

Hong-Kuang Hi-Tech is a supplier of specialty gases and chemicals in Taiwan’s semiconductor supply chain, with local capabilities in the production, sales and analysis of high-purity, electronic-grade specialty gases, as well as related technical support, the statement said.

The company primarily serves semiconductor wafer manufacturers, as well as the solar and display industries. Its product portfolio includes specialty gases used in semiconductor manufacturing processes, including fluorocarbons, nitrous oxide (N₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂) and fluorine-nitrogen mixtures (F₂/N₂).

Separately, GPPC has acquired a 23.4 percent equity stake in i-TRANS Express Co., Ltd., a specialized hazardous chemical logistics provider.

i-TRANS Express focuses on specialty chemicals used in the wafer manufacturing supply chain and provides logistics services covering transportation, warehousing, transshipment and distribution.

GPPC said the partnership combines international industrial gas expertise with Taiwan’s manufacturing capabilities to meet growing demand for high-purity materials used in advanced semiconductor processes.

The cooperation is also expected to support GPPC’s transformation and expansion into the semiconductor supply chain, as the company seeks to strengthen its core businesses, expand high-value-added operations and shift from bulk petrochemicals toward specialty chemicals, high-end composite materials and electronic-grade materials.

CDIB Capital Group, a Taiwanese private equity firm and an investor in the GPPC-AWI joint venture, played an instrumental role in formulating the cross-border partnership, according to GPPC.

CDIB President Melanie Nan said the firm has maintained a long-term investment focus on Taiwan’s core competencies, including semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, while strategically expanding its presence in Silicon Valley, Japan and the artificial intelligence sector.

Nan said the partnership highlights CDIB’s ability to bridge industrial ecosystems, supply chains and market opportunities between Taiwan and other major global economies.