Air Liquide: Further Investment of around €40 Million in Brazil

Regulatory News:

Air Liquide (Paris:AI) will invest around €40 million in a new Air Separation Unit (ASU) that will supply Klabin, Brazil’s biggest paper manufacturer, with oxygen.

Under the terms of this agreement, Air Liquide will invest around €40 million in a new ASU that will supply more than 160 tonnes of oxygen per day to Klabin’s new factory located in Ortigueira, as well as to Klabin’s other site in Telêmaco Borba, both located in the state of Paraná. The oxygen produced by Air Liquide’s ASU will be used to process and whiten pulp in a more efficient and environmentally friendly manner.

This unit will be designed and built by Air Liquide Engineering and Construction teams, using state-of-the-art technologies that offer energy efficiency as well as optimal performance and safety.

In Brazil’s South Region, Air Liquide already serves approximately 3,000 customers through 12 production units. However, this will be Air Liquide’s first ASU in the state of Paraná. This new ASU will also allow Air Liquide to provide oxygen, nitrogen and argon to customers in the industrial and healthcare sectors in the regions of Paraná, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul and Mato Grosso do Sul. This investment will increase Air Liquide’s competitiveness locally, which will help to expand its presence in the region.

Augustin de Roubin, Vice-President, South America and a member of Air Liquide’s Executive Committee commented: "We would like to thank Klabin for its trust. We are very proud to serve the growing needs of major Brazilian companies like Klabin and to help drive sustained economic growth in this rapidly developing region of the world. This new investment will strengthen our presence in the South Region. In the past three years, we invested more than €250 million in Brazil and we plan to continue our expansion in this country.”

Air Liquide Brazil
Air Liquide Brazil has been operating since 1945, employing around 1,200 professionals, based in more than 60 locations that supply more than 80% of the Brazilian States. Air Liquide Brazil serves customers in the steel, petrochemical, glass, paper, electronics and food industry sectors as well as the healthcare market.

Air Liquide in the Americas
Air Liquide is present in North, Central and South America as well as in the Caribbean, serving customers in a variety of industries from chemicals, refining, and electronics to manufacturing and healthcare.

Klabin
Klabin, major paper producer and exporter in Brazil, produces papers and cards for packing, corrugated paper packing, industrial sacks and roundwood. Founded in 1899, Klabin currently owns 15 industrial units in Brazil and one unit in Argentina. It is organized in three business units: Forestry, Paper (paperboard, kraft paper and recycled) and Conversion (corrugated paper and industrial sacks). The entire company’s management is oriented to Sustainable Development, reaching for an integrated and responsible growth, which unites profitability, social development and environmental commitment.

World leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health, Air Liquide is present in 80 countries with more than 50,000 employees and serves more than 2 million customers and patients. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen have been at the core of the company’s activities since its creation in 1902. Air Liquide’s ambition is to be the leader in its industry, delivering long-term performance and acting responsibly.

Air Liquide ideas create value over the long term. At the core of the company’s development are the commitment and constant inventiveness of its people.

Air Liquide anticipates the challenges of its markets, invests locally and globally, and delivers high-quality solutions to its customers and patients, and the scientific community.

The company relies on competitiveness in its operations, targeted investments in growing markets and innovation to deliver profitable growth over the long-term.

Air Liquide’s revenues amounted to € 15.2 billion in 2013, and its solutions that protect life and the environment represented around 40% of sales. 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
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