Air Liquide: Further Investments in India

Regulatory News:

The Indian economy is currently creating green shoots of recovery in most business segments. This vitality is reflected in strong GDP growth in Q3 2009 (+7.9%) versus a year earlier, and even stronger growth in industrial production (+ 9.2%). This sustained manufacturing growth, plus rising automobile sales and growth in the steel industry, driven largely by domestic needs, is boosting demand for industrial gases.

Against this backdrop, Air Liquide (Paris:AI) is investing €30 million in significant new production capacity of around 540 tonnes per day of liquefied gases (oxygen, nitrogen and argon) in North & West India. In Panipat, North India, the production of liquid gases will be increased by 400 tonnes per day. In Jhagadia (Gujarat), West India, the production capacity of liquid gases will be increased by 140 tonnes per day.

Air Liquide is developing its production capacities in India to meet its customers’ rising demand in growth areas. It will gain a leading position in the North and the West of India, two regions experiencing strong growth in the steel, automotive and pharmaceutical markets.

Air Liquide is also investing €6 million in a new facility near Chennai (South India) through Cryolor, its subsidiary. The new plant will produce cryogenic storage tanks starting this year (2010). It will address the requirements of the growing market for cryogenic storage products in India and neighboring markets.

Jean-Marc de Royere, Senior Vice-President Asia-Pacific, declared: “With five production sites covering the main industrial basins in the North and the West of the country, the Group will be able to better serve its Indian customers. Air Liquide offers India a unique combination of technologies and services for both the industrial and medical worlds. Emerging economies are a growth driver for the Group."

Air Liquide in India

Having started its Indian business in 1992, Air Liquide now operates with nearly 1,000 employees in India: in industrial gases (mainly for the steel, automobile, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, and glass markets), engineering and construction, and healthcare.

Main facilities are in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Vadodara, Panipat, Roorkee and Dharuhera.

Cryolor

A subsidiary of Air Liquide with 200 employees based in France, Singapore and India, Cryolor provides a full range of products and services for the storage and transport of cryogenic liquefied gases such as nitrogen, argon, oxygen, carbon dioxide, helium, natural gas, hydrogen and other hydrocarbons.

Air Liquide is the world leader in gases for industry, health and the environment, and is present in over 75 countries with 43,000 employees. Oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen and rare gases have been at the core of Air Liquide’s activities since its creation in 1902. Using these molecules, Air Liquide continuously reinvents its business, anticipating the needs of current and future markets. The Group innovates to enable progress, to achieve dynamic growth and a consistent performance.

Innovative technologies that curb polluting emissions, lower industry’s energy use, recover and reuse natural resources or develop the energies of tomorrow, such as hydrogen, biofuels or photovoltaic energy… Oxygen for hospitals, homecare, fighting nosocomial infections… Air Liquide combines many products and technologies to develop valuable applications and services not only for its customers but also for society.

A partner for the long term, Air Liquide relies on employee commitment, customer trust and shareholder support to pursue its vision of sustainable, competitive growth. The diversity of Air Liquide’s teams, businesses, markets and geographic presence provides a solid and sustainable base for its development and strengthens its ability to push back its own limits, conquer new territories and build its future.

Air Liquide explores the best that air can offer to preserve life, staying true to its sustainable development approach. In 2008, the Group’s revenues amounted to €13.1 billion, of which almost 80% were earned outside France. Air Liquide is listed on the Paris Euronext stock exchange (compartment A) and is a member of the CAC 40 and Dow Jones Euro Stoxx 50 indexes.

www.airliquide.com