BOC Edwards and AUECC Move Forward with China Wet Chemical Production Plan.

SHANGHAI, People's Republic of China -- Following announcement of its equity position in AUECC (Asia Union Electronic Chemical Corporation), BOC Edwards (NYSE:BOX)(LSE:BOC) announced today that AUECC is moving forward with plans to supply wet process chemicals to the growing electronics manufacturing industry in China, and has formed an equity joint venture with Shanghai Huayi (Group) Company. The new venture is called Shanghai Huayi Microelectronic Material Co. Ltd.

Through the new UPC Technology-BOC Edwards joint venture, AUECC will use Shanghai as a base to produce, package and distribute a full range of ultra high-purity process chemicals for semiconductor and flat panel display industries.

A new plant, backed by an initial investment that is expected to exceed 170 million RMB (US$20 million) is in the final design phase, with production slated for mid-2005.

"Our customers in China are currently relying on imported high-purity grade process chemicals," said Neels Kriek, managing director of materials and services for BOC Edwards. "With the completion of this facility, and backed by the experience and reputation of the parent companies, manufacturers can reduce their dependence on imports and rely on local supply. The ultimate goal, of course, is to give our customers in this region a wide range of wet chemical solutions, in both product and service support, allowing them to concentrate on their core business initiatives."

"It is estimated that by next year over 45,000 tons of high-purity wet chemicals will be needed by process industries in the Shanghai area alone," said Perry Chuang, Chairman of AUECC. "The new venture means we can deliver reliable, high-quality products in the near term, as well as the resources to underpin local industries' long-term growth."

Editor Background

AUECC (Asia Union Electronic Chemical Corp), formed in 2000, is a JV between The BOC Group (through its BOC Edwards Line of Business) and UPC Technology, part of the Mitac-Synnex Group. 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 area's high-technology industries. AUECC facilities are also located in Beijing, Tienjin and Shanghai, China.

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.

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. The Group's core companies include Mitac International Corp., Mitac Inc., Synnex Corp., Synnex Technology International Corp., UPC Technology Corp., BOC Lienhwa Industrial Gases Co., Ltd., Lienhwa Industrial Corp., 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.