Atotech locates technical R&D center in northern Taiwan

Taipei, Dec. 26, 2003 (CENS)--Atotech Corp., one of the world's leading suppliers of processes, services and equipment for general metal finishing (GMF), semiconductor and printed circuit boards, recently said it has set aside NT$100 million (US$2.94 million at US$1:NT$34) to set up a technical research and development center in Kuanyin of Taoyuan County, northern Taiwan.

The statement was issued by Atotech president S.L. Huang when he recently met Taoyuan County magistrate Chu Li-lung. Huang said the R&D center would be inaugurated on Feb. 9 next year.

A member of the France-based TotalFina Elf Group, Atotech has 35 branches globally. The company started running its Taiwan production facility in Kuanyin last year.


With its unique systems approach - chemistry, equipment and global service, the company boasts it can provide leading-edge production solutions to the electronics industry. The company's product range covers technologies for the entire spectrum of decorative and functional surface treatment for various materials including steel, aluminum and even plastics.

To boost manufacturing technology, Atotech recently resolved to invest six million euro to set up the technical R&D center in Kuanyin, the company's fourth of its kind globally. At present the company only has a production facility in Taiwan. Huang said his company has recognized the necessity of upgrading technologies to survive the market.

Huang highly praised the working efficiency of the Taoyuan County government as it spent only a few months to get the construction permit for the R&D center from the local government.

Chu said the Atotech has shown its determination to root its operations on the island by setting up the technical R&D center because it's not easy to be relocated. In the past few years, Chu's government has assisted some well-known firms, including Inotera Memories Inc., a joint venture between Nan Ya Technologies Inc. and the Germany-based Infineon Technologies Inc., in getting certificates for setting up plants in Taoyuan by shooting out some troubles.

Chu noted his government will continue to cooperate with private sectors to improve infrastructure to encourage more firms to keep business roots in Taiwan.