Air Liquide breaks ground for Gulf Coast Hydrogen SMR

The plant will be capable of producing more than 100 million cubic feet per day of pure hydrogen for the company’s Gulf Coast Pipeline System.

In a ceremony recently held in La Porte, Texas, Air Liquide broke ground for construction of its newest Hydrogen Steam Methane Reformer (SMR). Participating in the event were executives and employees of Air Liquide as well as representatives of the city of La Porte and U.S. Rep. Pete Olson.

The SMR, developed and operated by Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP and engineered and constructed by Air Liquide Process & Construction, Inc., is scheduled to be operational near the end of 2011. The unique design of the SMR incorporates the latest technology of Air Liquide subsidiary Lurgi GmbH, providing for efficient and environmentally responsible hydrogen production. The La Porte project is the first installation of an SMR in the U.S. using this design.

The plant will be capable of producing more than 100 million cubic feet per day of pure hydrogen for the company’s Gulf Coast Pipeline System, which serves industrial customers along the Gulf Coast from Freeport to Port Arthur, Texas.

Michael J. Graff, president of American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc., commented, “Air Liquide remains committed to growth and investment and is especially pleased to support the needs of industry throughout the Gulf Coast region. The new Gulf Coast SMR is a clear example of Air Liquide’s commitment, through innovation and technical expertise, to enable industrial improvements in efficiency and to help our customers meet their stated objectives to sustainability and the environment.”

La Porte City Manager Ron Bottoms said, “Air Liquide is a long standing leader and partner in the business community of our region. We are appreciative of their continued investment in our community and for the expertise, jobs and services they provide.”

U.S. Representative Pete Olson stated, “It was a pleasure to learn firsthand the latest technology being developed at Air Liquide and implemented right here in Texas.”

Air Liquide in the U.S. employs more than 4,000 employees in over 200 locations, and offers industrial gases, equipment and related services to a variety of customers in the Large Industries, Industrial Merchant, Electronics and Healthcare markets.

Air Liquide Gulf Coast SMR groundbreaking ceremony, La Porte, Texas, May 12, 2010.
L-R: Bryce Wong, Office of U.S. Rep. Pete Olson; Ron Bottoms, La Porte City Manager; Michael Graff, president & CEO of American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc.; Chris Lloyd-Jones, chairman & CEO of Air Liquide Process & Construction, Inc.; Roger Perreault, president of Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP; James Beard of Beard Construction Group.

Hydrogen is used in many ways to help meet ever-growing energy and environmental needs. For example, it is used by refineries to desulfurize transportation fuel as well as a source of clean energy. Air Liquide has produced hydrogen for over 40 years and holds more than 300 patents in hydrogen technologies. The Air Liquide group of companies operate more than 200 hydrogen production units and twelve hydrogen pipeline networks, serving large customers in industrial basins around the world.

Air Liquide is the world leader in gases for industry, health and the environment, and is present in over 75 countries with 42,300 employees. Oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen and rare gases have been at the core of Air Liquide’s activities since its creation in 1902. Using these molecules, Air Liquide continuously reinvents its business, anticipating the needs of current and future markets. The Group innovates to enable progress, to achieve dynamic growth and a consistent performance.

Innovative technologies that curb polluting emissions, lower industry’s energy use, recover and reuse natural resources or develop the energies of tomorrow, such as hydrogen, biofuels or photovoltaic energy… Oxygen for hospitals, homecare, fighting nosocomial infections… Air Liquide combines many products and technologies to develop valuable applications and services not only for its customers but also for society.

A partner for the long term, Air Liquide relies on employee commitment, customer trust and shareholder support to pursue its vision of sustainable, competitive growth. The diversity of Air Liquide’s teams, businesses, markets and geographic presence provides a solid and sustainable base for its development and strengthens its ability to push back its own limits, conquer new territories and build its future.

Air Liquide explores the best that air can offer to preserve life, staying true to its sustainable development approach. In 2009, the Group’s revenues amounted to €12 billion, of which almost 80% were generated outside France. Air Liquide is listed on the Paris Euronext stock exchange (compartment A) and is a member of the CAC 40 and Dow Jones Euro Stoxx 50 indexes.

www.airliquide.com