Praxair Electronics has been tapped as supplier of bulk argon and nitrogen for Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.'s new ingot and wafer manufacturing facility in Salem, Oregon. Sanyo is aiming to have the new 70MW plant, located in Salem's Renewable Energy and Technology Park, in operation by October 2009 and to be in full operation by April 2010.

"Praxair provides gases and sputtering targets to over 40 photovoltaic component manufacturers around the world," said Mark Murphy, president, Praxair Electronics. "We are pleased to have been selected to supply argon and nitrogen to SANYO Electric's new state-of-the-art facility in Salem and to continue our contribution to alternative energy market growth."