Air Liquide: Further Investment in Singapore

Regulatory News:

Air Liquide (Paris:AI) is stepping up its investment on Jurong Island, Singapore’s wholly integrated energy and chemicals hub.

Air Liquide, through SOXAL, its Singapore wholly-owned subsidiary, will invest around €35 million (S$60 million) to expand its industrial gas infrastructure on Jurong Island and supply oxygen and nitrogen under a long term supply agreement to CCD (Singapore), a joint venture between Taiwan’s Chang Chun and Dairen Chemical.

The new Air Separation Unit (ASU) will be connected to Air Liquide’s pipeline network. It will increase the oxygen production capacity of the existing Air Liquide infrastructure by 20%. It will also produce argon for its industrial merchant activity. The plant will be designed, developed and built by Air Liquide Engineering & Construction teams and will be commissioned in 2013.

Over the last years, Air Liquide has invested around €280 million (around S$500 million) in Jurong Island, Singapore. The company was amongst the first companies to set foot on Jurong Island and today’s infrastructure includes the largest hydrogen production plant in Southeast Asia as well as 120 kilometres pipeline network.

Both Chang Chun and Dairen Chemical are market leaders in their respective fields. The project of CCD (Singapore) is the first major operation by the Taiwanese petrochemical companies in the city-island. Air Liquide will supply three new plants of CCD (Singapore) producing Allyl Alcohol (AAL), Vinyl Acetate Monomer (VAM) and Cumene, which are used to produce a variety of products ranging from plastics, paints, adhesives to textiles.

Mr Huang Fu-Chu, CEO, CCD (Singapore) said: "Singapore’s Jurong Island is among the world’s top 10 petrochemical hubs. We are delighted to tap into SOXAL’s well-established production units and network which will ensure increased reliability of supply.”

Jean-Marc de Royere, Senior Vice-President Asia Pacific and a member of the Air Liquide Executive Committee, said: "Air Liquide is pleased to support and grow with Chang Chun and Dairen Chemical as they increase their manufacturing footprint outside Taiwan. This newest investment underscores our commitment to Singapore’s chemicals and energy sector, to deliver an efficient and reliable gas supply with leading-edge technologies. Asia remains a promising zone for Air Liquide.”

The Large Industries Business Line of the Air Liquide Group

offers gas and energy solutions that improve process efficiency and help achieve greater respect for the environment, mainly in the refining and natural gas, chemicals, metals and energy markets. 2010 revenues were €4,019 million.

Air Liquide in Singapore

Air Liquide, operating in Singapore since 1911 through Far East Oxygen, an entity which was integrated into SOXAL (Singapore Oxygen Air Liquide) in 1975, has made significant investments in Singapore, notably on Jurong Island to serve the growing chemicals and refining customers. It is also present on mainland Singapore, providing other companies of the electronics, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, and marine sectors.
Air Liquide, the leader in the Singapore market, employs close to 800 people recognized for their high levels of expertise. SOXAL became a 100% affiliate of Air Liquide in 2007. SOXAL is the largest and leading gas company in South-East Asia today.
In 2011, Air Liquide started up in Jurong Island a new hydrogen production plant capable of producing close to 100,000 Nm3 per hour.

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.

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 2010, the Group’s revenues amounted to €13.5 billion, of which more than 80% were generated 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