Air Liquide to invest €40 million in ASU in South Africa

Pierre Dufour, Senior Executive Vice-President, Air Liquide.

PARIS, FRANCE: Air Liquide said that it will invest €40 million in a new air separation unit (ASU) in South Africa. Air Liquide has signed a major long-term contract with Evraz Highveld Steel and Vanadium, the second-largest steel producer in South Africa. This new ASU will also produce liquid oxygen, nitrogen, and argon to meet growing demand from South Africa’s industrial merchant market. The new ASU will have a capacity of 770 tonne of oxygen per day, expected to be commissioned by end of 2013, will ensure the supply of oxygen.

“This contract is another milestone for the group in South Africa as it represents a major improvement in our position in a growing market. Air Liquide is the fastest growing player in Southern Africa and this will also allow us to expand our footprint in the sub-Saharan zone. Developing economies are one of the group’s growth drivers,” said Pierre Dufour, Senior Executive Vice-President, Air Liquide.

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