High lights and performance of the group in 2021
2021 highlights
CORPORATE
- Announcement of the plan for the succession of Benoît Potier as Chief Executive Officer of Air Liquide, coupled with the implementation of new governance. Following the recommendations of the Appointments and Governance Committee, the Board of Directors, which is due to meet at the close of the 2022 General Meeting, will be called upon to renew Benoît Potier’s term of office as Chairman of the Board of Directors and to appoint François Jackow to succeed him as Chief Executive Officer with effect from June 1, 2022.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
- Presentation of ambitious sustainable development objectives, around three pillars:
- ACT for a low-carbon society: Air Liquide has set itself the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and a 33% in its CO2 emissions by 2035 compared to 2020 with starting around 2025, while developing a wide range of low-carbon solutions for its industrial customers so that they can reduce their own emissions.
- Work toward better Healthcare by improving the quality of life of patients with chronic diseases in mature economies and by facilitating access to medical oxygen for rural communities in low- and middle-income countries.
- Trust as the base to engage with our employees and to adhere to best governance practices.
- Completion of the Group’s first green bond issue, which raised 500 million euros over 10 years dedicated to several sustainable development projects, notably in hydrogen and biogas.
- Partnership with Rothschild & Co and the Solar Impulse Foundation to launch a 200-million-euro investment fund to support the development of high-potential SMEs working on environmentally friendly solutions.
HEALTH
- Continued mobilization of teams in the fight against the pandemic, worldwide.
- Acquisition of Betamed S.A., a major player in the home healthcare business in Poland.
