LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa.,
Aug. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Air
Products (NYSE: APD) today announced that it has signed a long-term
contract to supply oxygen, nitrogen and argon to ArcelorMittal
Belgium N.V., a subsidiary of ArcelorMittal S.A., at its steel mill
in Gent, Belgium.
As part of the agreement, Air Products will build, own, operate
and maintain a third on-site air separation unit (ASU) at the Gent
site to supply ArcelorMittal with its industrial gases
requirements. Scheduled to come onstream in 2012, the ASU will have
a total production capacity of approximately 2,000 tons per day
(TPD), bringing extra liquefied industrial gases capacity for
supply to the European market.
"Delivering growth and productivity for ourselves and our
customers is an important part of our strategy," said Howard Castle-Smith, vice president of Tonnage
Gases, Air Products Europe and Middle
East. "Air Products has been supplying ArcelorMittal at its
Gent facility -- originally named Sidmar -- for more than 40 years,
and we are delighted to support their continued growth in steel
production. This long-term contract demonstrates that our leading
technologies and cost-effective mode of supply offer the right
solutions for our customers' increasing requirements."
"This investment is based on the need of industrial gases first
of all to replace the capacity of ASU1, which will be closed in
Terneuzen, and gives ArcelorMittal Gent increased flexibility
-- volume, focusing on iron ore or scrap route -- and the
possibility to grow. The two existing Air Products air separation
units at the Gent site will continue supplying ArcelorMittal with
their current oxygen, nitrogen and argon requirements at their
existing operations," said Marc
Vereecke, CEO at ArcelorMittal Gent.
About Air Products
Air Products (NYSE: APD) serves customers in industrial, energy,
technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio
of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance
materials, and equipment and services. Founded in 1940,
Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets
such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare
services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and
adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture,
operational excellence and commitment to safety and the
environment. In fiscal 2009, Air Products had revenues of
$8.3 billion, operations in over 40
countries, and 18,900 employees around the globe. For more
information, visit www.airproducts.com.
About ArcelorMittal
ArcelorMittal is the world's leading steel company, with
operations in more than 60 countries.
ArcelorMittal is the leader in all major global steel markets,
including automotive, construction, household appliances and
packaging, with leading R&D and technology, as well as sizeable
captive supplies of raw materials and outstanding distribution
networks. With an industrial presence in over 20 countries spanning
four continents, the Company covers all of the key steel markets,
from emerging to mature.
Through its core values of Sustainability, Quality and
Leadership, ArcelorMittal commits to operating in a responsible way
with respect to the health, safety and wellbeing of its employees,
contractors and the communities in which it operates. It is also
committed to the sustainable management of the environment and of
finite resources. ArcelorMittal recognises that it has a
significant responsibility to tackle the global climate change
challenge; it takes a leading role in the industry's efforts to
develop breakthrough steelmaking technologies and is actively
researching and developing steel-based technologies and solutions
that contribute to combat climate change.
In 2009, ArcelorMittal had revenues of $65.1 billion and crude steel production of 73.2
million tonnes, representing approximately 8 per cent of world
steel output.
ArcelorMittal is listed on the stock exchanges of New York (MT), Amsterdam (MT), Paris (MT), Brussels (MT), Luxembourg (MT) and on the Spanish stock
exchanges of Barcelona,
Bilbao, Madrid and Valencia (MTS).
ArcelorMittal Gent is one of the prime maritime integrated flat
carbon steel sites in Europe with
a steel output capacity of 5.2 million tonnes from 2 Blast
Furnaces, 2 BOF (Basic Oxygen Furnace) Converters, Hot and Cold
Strip Rolling Mills and Annealing and Galvanising units. The
output from the steel plant of thin hot and/or cold reduced sheet
and medium and heavy plate is typically used in car bodies for the
automotive industry, household appliances, metal furniture,
sanitary goods, tubes and receptacles.
For more information about ArcelorMittal visit:
www.arcelormittal.com.
***NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements.
Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current
expectations.
SOURCE Air Products
Copyright . 24 PR Newswire