Largest Air Separation Plant in Heilongjiang Province now in Operation

On July 16, 2012, the largest Air Separation Unit (ASU) plant in Heilongjiang Province, Air Liquide's Yichun plant commenced production successfully and has started to supply oxygen, nitrogen and argon to Xilin Steel. Mr. Remi Charachon, President & CEO of Air Liquide China, Mr. Wang Aiwen, Party Secretary of Yichun Municipality, and Ms. Gao Huan, Mayor of Yichun Municipality, attended the start-up ceremony.

In March 2010, Air Liquide signed a long-term contract with Xilin Steel Group. Under the terms of the contract, Air Liquide invested in a new ASU, with a production capacity of 1200 tonnes of oxygen per day, to supply industrial gases to the customer. The ASU was designed and built by Air

Liquide Hangzhou, the Engineering and Construction Center of Air Liquide in China. During the construction period, Air Liquide teams overcame all challenges including cold weather, tight schedule and remoteness of the area, and successfully accomplished the project to meet the customer's industrial gas requirements, which won praises from the customer as well as the local authorities.

Xilin Steel Group is the largest iron and steel producer, and the biggest private enterprise in Heilongjiang Province. While continuously upgrading and optimizing its production facilities, Xilin Steel Group has grown to be the most profitable iron and steel enterprise in the whole north-eastern China.

Mr. Remi Charachon, President and CEO of Air Liquide China, commented, "During the past two years, we have received attention and support from our customer as well as from the local government at all levels to facilitate the progress of the construction. Our project and construction teams have exerted all effort to turn the blueprint into reality, despite many challenges. With the successful start-up of our ASU plant, the largest in Heilongjiang Province, Air Liquide will provide solid support to Xilin Steel through safe, reliable, and economic industrial gases supply. We are committed as well to make an active contribution to the economic and social development of Yichun and Heilongjiang Province.”