Air Liquide Strengthens Its Partnership with MPCC In China

SHANGHAI, April 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Air Liquide has signed a new long-term contract with Maoming Petrochemical Co. (MPCC), a subsidiary of China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. (Sinopec Corp.), one of the largest integrated energy and chemical companies in China. Under the terms of the new agreement, Air Liquide will invest around 40 million euros in a new state-of-the-art ASU (Air Separation Unit), with a total capacity of 850 tonnes of oxygen per day.

Expected to start operations in the second quarter of 2017, the new ASU will supply industrial gases including oxygen and nitrogen to the customer's new ethylene oxide plant as well as to its existing one. The ASU, located in Maoming City, Guangdong Province, will be designed and supplied by Air Liquide's Engineering and Construction teams using leading technologies to offer energy efficiency as well as optimal reliability and safety. The ASU will be owned and operated by ALMPCC, the joint venture of Air Liquide China and MPCC established in June 2012.

Francois Venet, Vice-President, Asia Pacific and a member of Air Liquide group's Executive Committee commented: "Air Liquide has developed a strong business relationship with MPCC since 2012. By choosing to outsource their industrial gases need on this new project, MPCC shows its confidence in Air Liquide's capability to provide innovative solutions and deliver safe operations, which further strengthens our strategic partnership. This new agreement also illustrates our wish to develop our activities in China over the long term."

Lu Weiqun, Deputy General Manager of MPCC and Vice Chairman of ALMPCC Board, added: "It's our pleasure to join hands with Air Liquide again. By combining their advanced technology and management expertise with MPCC's experience in the local market, ALMPCC has seen great successes in recent years. Through the new project, we expect ALMPCC to contribute more to the development of MPCC as well as to that of the local economy."

Air Liquide China

Operates nearly 90 plants and employs about 4,500 employees with a strong presence in the key coastal industrial areas, and is expanding into the center, south and west. Its main business activities include industrial and medical gas operations, as well as Engineering & Construction (designing, manufacturing and installing air separation units/hydrogen facilities).

The Large Industries business line of Air Liquide

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. In 2015, revenues were EUR5,201 million.

The Engineering and Construction activity (Global E&C Solutions)

The Engineering and Construction activity (Global E&C Solutions) builds the Group's production units – mainly air separation units (ASUs) and hydrogen production units – and provides plants for third-party customers.

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 EUR16.4 billion in 2015 and its solutions that protect life and the environment represented more than 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.