MONTREAL, Sept. 15, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Today, Air Liquide Canada announced it will upgrade an Air Separation Unit (ASU) in response to greater demand for oxygen, nitrogen, and argon from ArcelorMittal Dofasco and other customers in Ontario. The upgrade will begin in September 2016 and is expected to be complete in April 2017. The project will be funded by Air Liquide.
This announcement follows the successful construction in 2015 of a new oxygen pipeline between Air Liquide's Hamilton production facility and ArcelorMittal Dofasco. The new pipeline was jointly funded by Air Liquide and the Independent Electricity System Operator's saveONenergy Program. The pipeline allowed Air Liquide to supply oxygen to ArcelorMittal Dofasco with significantly greater energy efficiency and resulted in Air Liquide reducing its electricity usage by more than 30,000 MWh per year. In recognition of this achievement, Horizon Utilities awarded Air Liquide a "2015 Energy Champions Award" and later this month in Washington D.C., the Association of Energy Engineers will name the oxygen pipeline project as the 2016 Energy Project of the Year (Canada).
A winning approach
The upgrade of Air Liquide's Hamilton complex is an example of how energy conservation programs can lead to industrial growth and sustained benefits for surrounding communities. As was the case for the successful oxygen pipeline project, Air Liquide will manage the upgrade of the plant and expects that almost 80% of the company's investment will be spent in Hamilton and surrounding communities.
Adam Peters, President and CEO of Air Liquide Canada, said: "We are proud that a joint public and private investment in energy efficiency is leading to new growth in one of Canada's largest industrial areas. Air Liquide has operated in Hamilton since 1940, and this investment will help ensure that we continue our operations in Ontario for the foreseeable future."
Air Liquide in Canada
Air Liquide started its activities in Canada in 1911, and now has over 2,600 employees working to supply more than 200,000 customers and patients across Canada. Established in all of the country's key industrial regions from coast to coast, Air Liquide offers innovative solutions – gas, equipment and services – in a wide variety of sectors, from oil and gas, mining, healthcare, automotive, aeronautics, metallurgy and metal fabrication to chemical and agri-food industries.
To be close to its customers and better meet their needs, Air Liquide has sales outlets throughout Canada, which are supported by a distribution network that extends from coast to coast. From cylinder to pipeline, Air Liquide offers customers safe and reliable supply methods tailored to their needs.
The world leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health, Air Liquide is present in 80 countries with approximately 68,000 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 revenues amounted to €16.4 billion in 2015, and its solutions that protect life and the environment represented more than 40% of sales. On 23 May 2016, Air Liquide completed its acquisition of Airgas, which had revenues amounting to $5.3 billion (around €4.8 billion) for the fiscal year ending 31 March 2016.
Air Liquide is listed on the Paris Euronext stock exchange (compartment A) and belongs to the CAC 40 and Dow Jones Euro Stoxx 50 indexes.
* Following the acquisition of Airgas on 23 May 2016
SOURCE Air Liquide Canada
Image with caption: "Logo: Air Liquide Canada Ltée (CNW Group/Air Liquide Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160915_C6181_PHOTO_EN_772961.jpg
Communications - Air Liquide Canada, David Asselin, +1 514 846-7735 / +1 514 260-4548, [email protected]
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