Air Liquide Canada obtains FSSC 22000 food safety certification for its liquid carbon dioxide facilities

MONTREAL, Jan. 30, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Liquide Canada, a subsidiary of the Air Liquide Group, the world leader in gases for industry, health and the environment, today announced that all its carbon dioxide production (liquefaction) plants in Canada have obtained Food Safety System Certification 22000, an internationally-recognised standard for food safety systems. This certification initiative is part of a benchmarking application of the Global Food Safety Initiative (GSFI), whose mission is to provide continuous improvement of food safety management systems, with a vision of "safe food for consumers everywhere."

In this way, Air Liquide Canada can assure its agrifood and beverage industry customers, who must meet today's strict food safety standards, that its carbon dioxide production facilities have been audited and certified for effective risk management, hygiene in its facilities, and Food safety excellence in operations and employee training.

"We're proud to support our customers, and their customers in turn, by providing impeccable quality in our products for use in the agrifood and beverage industries, and we are one of the first companies in our sector here in Canada that can offer our customers the assurance this FSSC certification represents," said Adam Peters, president and CEO of Air Liquide Canada. "Our employees have worked diligently to meet this new certification and it certainly is something our teams have a right to be proud of."

Liquid carbon dioxide is used for cryogenic freezing and surface hardening of food products as well as temperature control during food mixing and blending processes to ensure the cold chain management. In its gaseous state, carbon dioxide is used as a key ingredient of carbonated beverages and for preserving freshness in foods, and for providing nutrition and supporting healthy growth to vegetables in greenhouses.

Air Liquide Canada owns and operates liquid carbon dioxide plants and depots in Moncton, New Brunswick, Varennes, Quebec, in Courtright and Hamilton, Ontario, in Medecine Hat, Fort Saskatchewan and Woking, Alberta and Langley, British Columbia with capacity to serve its customers from coast-to-coast.

Air Liquide in Canada

Founded in 1911, Air Liquide Canada has over 2200 employees and serves more than 80,000 customers in Canada's aeronautics, automotive, agrifood, chemical, defence, electronics, energy, metallurgy, metal fabrication, mining and healthcare industries from sites in key industrial locations from coast to coast.

Industrial Merchant activities of Air Liquide

The Industrial Merchant business line manages the production and distribution of industrial gases in bulk systems and cylinders, and provides customers with the applications and services required for their implementation. Its customers range from tradesmen to major businesses and use industrial gases in 5 key sectors: food and pharmaceuticals, automobile and manufacturing, crafts and distribution, materials and energy, and technology and research. For 2011, the Industrial Merchant business line generated  revenue of €4,892 million.

Air Liquide is the world leader in gases for industry, health and the environment, and is present in 80 countries with 46,200 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, home healthcare, 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 2011, the Group's revenues amounted to €14.5 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.

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SOURCE: AIR LIQUIDE CANADA

Air Liquide Canada
Daniel Richard
Manager, Communications
514-846-7735
514-260-4548 (Cellulaire)
[email protected]

Anne-Sophie Davy
Consultant, Communications
514 846-6112
[email protected]