MUNICH, GERMANY: The Linde Group said that it has signed a letter of intent with the Turkish steel producer Erdemir Group, to form a joint venture in order to build a new air separation unit (ASU) in Iskenderun, southern Turkey.
From 2017 onwards, the new plant – which will be the largest ASU operated by an industrial gases company in Turkey – will supply up to 1,700 tonne of oxygen and nitrogen per day to a steel mill run by Isdemir, an Erdemir subsidiary, through a build, own, operate (BOO) business model.
The ASU will be designed and constructed by Linde’s engineering division. The joint venture will also be responsible for the operation and maintenance of Isdemir’s existing industrial gases production facilities.
This is the first international joint venture undertaken by the Erdemir Group, Turkey’s first and largest integrated flat steel producer, Linde said.
“We are pleased to partner with Erdemir, Turkey’s number one steel company. By making this investment, we demonstrate our commitment in the growing Turkish market,” said Dr Wolfgang Buchele, CEO, Linde AG.
“Our vision of becoming a world-class company calls for a search for excellence in everything we do. Such an excellence concept includes maximum reliability and efficiency as well as minimum costs. We believe that partnering with the best-in-class companies such as Linde will help us approach our vision,” said Ali Pandir, chairman, Erdemir Group.
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