Air Liquide invests in new air separation unit in Austria
In line with its development strategy for Central Europe, Air Liquide has announced that it will invest 21 million euros in a new air separation unit in Schwechat, near Vienna, Austria.
The unit will replace an older facility at the same site. Capacity will approach 400 tons /day of liquid nitrogen and oxygen, five times the current plant's capacity. It is scheduled to be up and running in early 2006.
With this investment, Air Liquide will markedly strengthen its presence in Austria, as well as in neighboring Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Hungary. The demand for industrial gases is increasing rapidly in these countries, which have just joined the European Union, especially in sectors such as automotive, glass, secondary electronics and agrifood. At Schwechat, Air Liquide will have the additional capacity needed to supply these manufacturers, as well as refining and chemicals customers via pipeline in the Vienna region.
Jean-Pierre Duprieu, Vice-President and member of Air Liquide's Executive Committee, stated: "Central Europe is a strategic vector for us, where we want to intensify our presence over the next few years. The new configuration of our industrial base, the proximity of our teams, our broad offer of innovative products and services, and the recognized quality of our technologies put us in an excellent position to develop our business with existing customers in these dynamic economies and to win new contracts."
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