Industry
TWO STRATEGIC CONTRACTS IN THE UNITED STATES AND RUSSIA
Air Liquide has signed two major contracts in the steel sector. As part of a long-term partnership with NLMK, one of the main steel producers in Russia, the Group will invest around 100 million euros in three projects at the customer’s site in Lipetsk: the construction of a state-of-the-art Air Separation Unit (ASU), the acquisition of the site’s existing hydrogen unit and of its rare gases production plant. Air Liquide has also signed a long-term agreement with U.S. steel major producer Steel Dynamics, Inc., to supply gaseous oxygen, nitrogen and argon to its new steel mill in Texas. Thus, the Group plans to invest more than 100 million US dollars in the construction of a cutting-edge, energy-efficient ASU on the Gulf Coast.
Digital
TRANSFORMING THE SUPPLY CHAIN TO BENEFIT CUSTOMERS
Following a successful pilot phase, the Group is rolling out its IBO (Integrated Bulk Operations) program worldwide, using digital technology to optimize the entire liquid gas supply chain. The aim of this is to make it more efficient and environmentally friendly. Analysis of customers’ consumption data and availability of molecules, coupled with real-time driver assistance, help make deliveries more efficient and more reliable while reducing CO2 emissions.
The IBO program is the perfect example of the Group’s ability to use digital solutions on a global scale to optimize our operational performance and better serve our customers and the environment.
MATTHIEU GIARD,
VICE PRESIDENT OF INDUSTRIAL MERCHANT ACTIVITY AND MEMBER OF AIR LIQUIDE’S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
ITER
ASSEMBLY OF THE LARGEST CRYOGENICS PLANT IN THE WORLD
The aim of ITER and its experimental fusion reactor is to exploit a source of energy as powerful as the sun, which is clean, carbon-free and safe. The assembly of the reactor began at the end of July. This is a key stage of an international project which has continued to progress despite the health crisis, thanks in particular to Air Liquide, which supplies the reactor with its cryogenic cooling system. The Group has just completed the manufacture and delivery of the final equipment for what will be the world’s largest centralized helium cryogenic plant. After the installation and equipment connection phases, which will last several years, operational tests of the entire plant will start in 2024.