Air Products builds new Air Separating Unit in Gent, Belgium
Hersham, UK 18th August 2010 – Air Products (NYSE: APD) announced that it has signed a long-term contract to supply oxygen, nitrogen and argon to ArcelorMittal Belgium N.V., a subsidiary of ArcelorMittal S.A., at its steel mill in Gent, Belgium.
As part of the agreement, Air Products will build, own, operate and maintain a third on-site air separation unit (ASU) at the Gent site to supply ArcelorMittal with its industrial gases requirements.
Scheduled to come on-stream in 2012 the ASU will have a total production capacity in excess of 2000 tonnes per day (TPD), bringing extra liquefied industrial gases capacity for supply to the European market.
“Delivering growth and productivity for ourselves and our customers is an important part of our strategy,” said Howard Castle-Smith, Vice President of Tonnage Gases, Air Products Europe and Middle East. “Air Products has been supplying ArcelorMittal at their Gent facility - originally named Sidmar - for more than 40 years and we are delighted to support their continued growth in steel production.
“This long-term contract demonstrates our leading technologies and cost-effective mode of supply offer the right solutions for our customers’ increasing requirements.”
Marc Vereecke, CEO at ArcelorMittal Gent said: “This investment is based on the need of industrial gasses first of all to replace the capacity of ASU1, which will be closed in Terneuzen and gives ArcelorMittal Gent increased flexibility (volume, focussing on iron ore or scrap route) and the possibilty to grow. The two existing Air Products air separation units at the Gent site will continue supplying ArcelorMittal with their current oxygen, nitrogen and argon requirements at their existing operations.” |
About Air Products
Air Products (NYSE:APD) serves customers in industrial, energy, technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and equipment and services. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment. In fiscal 2009, Air Products had revenues of $8.3 billion, operations in over 40 countries, and 18,900 employees around the globe.
For more information, visit > www.airproducts.com
About ArcelorMittal
ArcelorMittal is listed on the stock exchanges of New York (MT), Amsterdam (MT), Paris (MT), Brussels (MT), Luxembourg (MT) and on the Spanish stock exchanges of Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid and Valencia (MTS).
ArcelorMittal Gent is one of the prime maritime integrated flat carbon steel sites in Europe with a steel output capacity of 5.2 million tonnes from 2 Blast Furnaces, 2 BOF (Basic Oxygen Furnace) Converters, Hot and Cold Strip Rolling Mills and Annealing and Galvanising units. The output from the steel plant of thin hot and/or cold reduced sheet and medium and heavy plate is typically used in car bodies for the automotive industry, household appliances, metal furniture, sanitary goods, tubes and receptacles.
For more information about ArcelorMittal visit > www.arcelormittal.com
***NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations. |
