Air Liquide China supports its customers to promote optical preform and fiber industry upgrade in Hubei Province

SHANGHAI, March 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — The YOFC (Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable) Qianjiang High-tech Industrial Park celebrated its commissioning today in Qianjiang City, Hubei Province. The grand ceremony was co-organized by YOFC, Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd and Air Liquide China, the gas supplier for the park. It attracted around 400 guests, including senior executives from YOFC, Shin-Etsu, and Air Liquide China.

As the sole gas supplier to the new park, Air Liquide China will provide its customers with reliable industrial gas production solutions and products including oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, and helium. The two primary enterprises in the new park are YOFC Qianjiang and Shin-Etsu YOFC (Hubei) Optical Preform Co., (a joint venture between Shin-Etsu and YOFC).

The new high-tech industrial park, which covers an area of 700 mu (466,667 square meters), was especially constructed by YOFC as a base site for realizing sustainable manufacturing of optical preform and fiber products, fully equipped with most advanced manufacturing, storage and logistics solutions. Created to help promote a sustainable local economy, the park will also recycle and make full use of the by-products manufactured along with the main products to ensure efficient, green and economic operations.

Zhuang Dan, Executive Director and President of YOFC stated:"We're honored to join hands with Air Liquide – our long-term strategic partner – to celebrate the commissioning of the high-tech industrial park. As a global leader in optical preform, fiber and cable industry, YOFC is committed to accelerating the technological advancement of the industry. The park is a good illustration in this respect."

Marcelo Fioranelli, Air Liquide Greater China Cluster Vice President added:"This park turns a new page in the development of optical preform and fiber industry in Hubei Province by advancing environmentally friendly and smart manufacturing. Air Liquide China is proud to be cooperating with YOFC and Shin-Etsu. Both are leading enterprises in this industry, driving for meaningful industrial upgrade."

Air Liquide in China

Air Liquide China operates nearly 90 plants and employs more than 4,000 employees today. With a strong presence in the key coastal industrial areas, Air Liquide China is now expanding into the center, south and west. Its main business activities include industrial and medical gas operations, Engineering & Construction (designing, manufacturing and installing air separation units/hydrogen facilities), as well as innovation activities.

Air Liquide Group

The world leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health, Air Liquide is present in 80 countries with approximately 67,000 employees and serves more than 3 million customers and patients. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen are essential small molecules for life, matter and energy. They embody Air Liquide's scientific territory and have been at the core of the company's activities since its creation in 1902.

Air Liquide's ambition is to lead its industry, deliver long term performance and contribute to sustainability. The company's customer-centric transformation strategy aims at profitable growth over the long term. It relies on operational excellence, selective investments, open innovation and a network organization implemented by the Group worldwide. Through the commitment and inventiveness of its people, Air Liquide leverages energy and environment transition, changes in healthcare and digitization, and delivers greater value to all its stakeholders.

Air Liquide's revenue amounted to EUR18.1 billion in 2016 and its solutions that protect life and the environment represented more than 40% of sales. Air Liquide is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange (compartment A) and belongs to the CAC 40, EURO STOXX 50 and FTSE4Good indexes.

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Photo – http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20170321/0861702587-b