Recently, Amersfoort-Netherlands based AkzoNobel , plans to enlarge its production capacity for its key products: trimethyl gallium (TMG) and trimethyl indium (TMI) to meet continued strong global demand for its High Purity MetalOrganics (HPMO) product range, which manufactures semiconductor-grade indium-, gallium-, aluminum-, zinc- and magnesium-based metalorganics used as key precursor materials in the production of LEDs, solar cells and other semiconductor devices.
 
In June 2010 AkzoNobel doubled its TMG production capacity at its facilities in LaPorte, TX, USA. The capacity of this unit was quickly doubled again this January, and the new capacity has been ramped up during the past four months, making AkzoNobel the largest global producer of this specialty chemical.

The firm plans to build a large new TMG production plant which will be three times the size of the existing unit. With this expansion, AkzoNobel’s total capacity for gallium-based metalorganics will exceed 100 tons per year, from two independent production lines. The project is already well advanced; construction of the plant will start this year, with completion in 2012.
 
The firm will also set up a large second production unit for the LED precursor TMI, giving a 400% increase in capacity. Construction of this unit is already in progress and will be completed by this December.
 
Both units will be built at AkzoNobel’s LaPorte site, which serves the global plastics, pharma and electronic industries with large-scale, fully integrated bulk metalorganics production plants.

Additionally, the firm will also enhance its global distribution network by establishing regional transfilling capabilities in Asia.