Energy transition
TOWARDS A LOW-CARBON INDUSTRY
Air Liquide and BASF, the world-leading chemical company, signed three new long‑term contracts in the basin of Antwerp, Belgium. The Group has been supplying BASF with gases for over 50 years in this major industrial basin. These new contracts are consistent with a low carbon footprint approach, in line with the Group’s Climate objectives. Indeed, Air Liquide will build and operate a new unit to supply BASF with high-purity gases, enabling a more efficient production of an important chemical component used in house insulation. Air Liquide will also purchase part of the methane generated during the BASF production process and valorize it as a feedstock in its hydrogen production plants on site. This will contribute to developing a circular economy and help reduce CO2 emissions up to 15,000 tons per year on the Antwerp site.
Climate
DOUBLE “A” FOR AIR LIQUIDE
Just over a year following the announcement of its Climate objectives, Air Liquide enters the narrow circle of companies that have obtained a double “A” from the CDP(1). This double “A” recognizes the Group’s commitment to promote environmental protection and sustainable water management.
DAVID MENESES,
AIR LIQUIDE VICE PRESIDENT SUSTAINABILITY
We are extremely proud to have obtained a double “A” from the CDP. This score rewards our innovative initiatives in favor of a low-carbon society. Helping solve environmental and energy transition challenges is one of the Group’s key ambitions.
(1) An international non-profit organization that evaluates companies on their environmental action.
Electronics
A MAJOR INVESTMENT
IN THE FIELD OF SEMICONDUCTORS
Air Liquide will invest nearly €200 million in the construction of production units at the Tainan and Hsinchu Science Parks in Taiwan, two of the most advanced semiconductor production basins in the world. Forming part of a long-term agreement with a leader in electronics, this investment will allow the Group to supply ultra-high purity hydrogen and oxygen—along with nitrogen, argon and helium—to semiconductor manufacturing plants under construction at the two sites. This agreement reflects the Group’s ability to provide innovative, low-carbon solutions to its customers. For example, hydrogen will be produced from renewable energy, which will avoid approximately 20,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year.