A €65 million additional investment in the Port of Rotterdam

Rotterdam is the second largest chemical and petrochemical basin in Europe. This industry has maintained its momentum, despite the crisis, across Western Europe, with dynamic players demonstrating sustained demand for industrial gases. In this context, Air Liquide will invest an additional €65 million in the Rotterdam basin.

Air Liquide has recently signed a long-term contract with Huntsman, a global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated chemicals. Under the terms of this agreement, Air Liquide will supply carbon monoxide to both of the MDI plants that Huntsman Polyurethanes operates in the Botlek area of the Port of Rotterdam.

Air Liquide will invest in a new carbon monoxide production unit in the Port of Rotterdam, to be located next to the company’s existing facilities. The plant, which will be commissioned in the first half of 2015, will double Air Liquide’s carbon monoxide production capacity in the basin. This additional carbon monoxide will also help meet new needs of Air Liquide’s customers in the Port.

The plant will be designed and built by Air Liquide’s Engineering and Construction teams, and will incorporate the Group’s latest technologies to ensure the highest levels of energy efficiency, reliability and safety.

Guy Salzgeber, Vice-President, North and Central Europe and a member of the Air Liquide Executive Committee, commented: “We thank Huntsman for its renewed trust in Air Liquide and for the long-term partnership we have been building together. Through this new investment, Air Liquide reinforces its position in the Port of Rotterdam through cutting edge technology and industrial integration. Air Liquide has already invested €400 million in new industrial production units over the last five years in this key industrial area, helping European industrial companies increase their competitiveness.”

Nick Webster, Vice President Huntsman Polyurethanes EAIME said: “Building on our long-term partnership with Air Liquide, we are delighted to host the new carbon monoxide plant at our Rotterdam facility. Investments like these are critical to maintaining competitiveness both now and in the future.”

MDI (Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate) is one of the initial components of polyurethane, which is used to manufacture high resilience foam seating, durable elastomeric wheels, high performance adhesives, etc.