BOC Edwards Announces Investment in Asia Union Electronic Chemical Corporation.

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- BOC Edwards (NYSE:BOX)(LSE:BOC) announced today that it has expanded its electronic materials offering to include resources and expertise in purification, blending, packaging and distribution of wet chemicals for flat panel display, semiconductor, and solar cell customers throughout Asia. Building on its established presence in the region, The BOC Group, through its BOC Edwards line of business, has purchased a 50% ownership in AUECC from UPC Technology Corporation (UPC), a Mitac-Synnex Group company.

"AUECC is committed to the growth and success of its customers in the Greater China market with best-in-class logistics, specialty materials and innovative solutions," said Neels Kriek, managing director of materials and services for BOC Edwards. "This investment will allow us to broaden our emphasis on chemical management services and IP-based specialty materials for next-generation processes."

"AUECC, working closely with BOC Edwards, will focus on process chemicals as well as specialty and tailor-made formulations for microelectronics and flat panel display customers," stated Perry Chuang, chairman of AUECC. "Recent investments by AUECC, including analytical laboratories and warehousing sites in the region, will contribute significantly to our customers' long-term growth objectives."

Curtis Dove, president of AUECC since 2001, will continue with AUECC as president.

Editor background

AUECC (Asia Union Electronic Chemical Corp.) was formed in 2000 by Union Petrochemical Corp (later to become UPC Technology). AUECC (www.auecc.com.tw) specializes in ultrapure chemicals for the microelectronics industry and is strategically located near the Hsinchu and Tainan science-based parks to support the growth of Taiwan's growing high technology industries.

BOC Edwards, part of The BOC Group (NYSE:BOX, LSE:BOC), is a leading supplier of materials, process-enabling subsystems and services to fabs and OEMs involved in the manufacture of microelectronics devices. Serving two million customers in more than 50 countries, The BOC Group is one of the largest and most global of the world's leading gases companies, with annual sales of over GBP 4.3 billion (more than US $7 billion) in 2003. Information on the BOC Group can be accessed by visiting the Group web site, www.boc.com. Specific information on BOC Edwards can be accessed directly on www.bocedwards.com or e-mail: [e-mail].

Mitac-Synnex Group: Founded in 1974 and headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, Mitac-synnex is one of the most advanced, worldwide ITC (Information Technology and Communication) groups with more than 40 affiliated companies and 20,000 employees worldwide. The Group's core companies include Mitac International Corp., Mitac Inc., Synnex Corp., Synnex Technology International Corp., UPC Technology Corp., Lienhwa Industrial Corp., BOC Lienhwa Industrial Gases Co., Ltd. (jointly owned by Lienhwa Industrial Group, Taiwan, and the BOC Group, UK), and Harbinger Venture Management, covering IT manufacture, distribution and logistics, software development and system integration, electronic chemical manufacture, flour mill, yacht build, and venture capital investment. Additional information is available at www.msgroup.com.tw.

UPC Technology Corporation (www.upc.com.tw) is a prominent petrochemical company headquartered in Taipei, with manufacturing facilities in Taiwan and China. Known for its emphasis on research and development, as well as product and service quality, UPC has extensive market channels in the Asia-pacific region, including Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand. UPC is part of the Taiwan-based Mitac-Synnex Group.