Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP ("Air Liquide") announced that it has purchased an Air Separation Unit (ASU) from Georgia Gulf Corporation in Plaquemine, La.
The ASU produces oxygen, nitrogen and argon and is interconnected via pipeline with Air Liquide's existing gas production facilities in Plaquemine, which are located within a mile of the newly acquired ASU. The ASU will join an existing system of 13 Air Liquide air separation units and utility production facilities serving more than 30 customers along the Mississippi River via Air Liquide's pipeline network.
Under agreements that went into effect January 1, 2012, Air Liquide will sell oxygen and nitrogen from the pipeline network to Georgia Gulf's Plaquemine chemical plant. Gaseous products from the ASU will be fed into Air Liquide's pipeline network to meet demand growth. Liquid products will be available to serve the growing demands of the local merchant market and increase the reliability of the Mississippi River Pipeline System.
Commenting on the purchase, President of Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP, Roger Perreault, said: "We appreciate Georgia Gulf's confidence in Air Liquide and are very pleased to build upon our business relationship with them.The purchase of this ASU accomplishes several important objectives, including additional production capacity in 2012 to meet expected growth in the region."
Joe Breunig, Executive Vice President, Chemicals, at Georgia Gulf commented: "The sale of our ASU to Air Liquide will allow us to focus operational efforts on our core chemical production facilities at Plaquemine. The new supply agreements provide access to a competitively priced, reliable supply of industrial gases to our facility. We look forward to our expanded relationship with Air Liquide."
The ASU was built in 1997 and will be upgraded to ensure long term reliability and operational efficiency.
Air Liquide in the U.S.
Air Liquide companies in the U.S. employ nearly 5,000 employees in over 200 locations, and offer industrial gases, equipment and related services to customers in the large industries, industrial merchant, electronics and healthcare markets.
Air Liquide is the world leader in gases for industry, health and the environment, and is present in 80 countries with 43,600 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.
Contacts:
Air Liquide
Corporate Communications
Michael
Rosen, +1 713 624 8023
or
George Smalley, +1 713 624 8021
