2008 annual results

2008 Performance

• Revenue of €13.1 billion, up +11.0%, as published
• Net profit of €1,220 million, up +10.8%, at constant exchange rates
• Proposed 2008 dividend of €2.25 per share

2008 Highlights

• Strategic program ALMA in line with objectives for growth, and cost and capital efficiency
• Continuing development in hydrogen, new contracts for oxygen, and significant rise in photovoltaic activity
• Technological advances in the fields of oxy-combustion, biofuels, and medical gases
• Start-up of 19 new production units, of which more than half are situated in emerging economies (Middle East, Asia)

2008 revenue rose to €13,103 million, an increase of +11.0%, and the operating income recurring to €1,949 million, up +8.6%.

Commenting on the 2008 results, Benoît Potier, Chairman and CEO of the Air Liquide Group, stated:

“The 2008 performances demonstrate the Group’s growth dynamism as well as its resilience, notably during the fourth quarter when sales in Gas & Services, supported by volumes and pricing, grew by +7.9% on a comparable basis.

As a result of its strategy, Air Liquide has strong structural advantages, including diverse markets, a broad mix of products and applications, and the nature of its long-term contracts. Consequently, 80% of the Group’s revenue today comes either from long-term defensive markets or from products that are mostly unaffected by cyclical factors.

In addition, Air Liquide is now reaping the positive effects of positions recently taken in high-growth regions, plus an increasing number of start-ups and ramp-ups of new production units which should bring additional sales revenue of €1 billion over the period 2009-2010.

In 2009, our priorities are going to be cash management, increased efforts in cost containment, and greater selectiveness in our investments. Priorities within the ALMA company program have already been realigned accordingly, notably by raising our cost-savings target to more than €250 million in 2009. By thus strengthening its fundamentals, Air Liquide aims to secure and finance growth in its revenue and net profit in 2009.

Air Liquide Group has made investment commitments totaling around €7 billion over the past three years, setting a solid growth foundation for the years ahead. These investments have been directed primarily towards markets identified as promising and long-term, which will enable Air Liquide, once the effects of the economic slowdown have been absorbed, to pursue its growth rate in line with its medium-term objectives.”

Benoît Potier also comments on the Group’s 2008 results in a video interview, available in French and English at Air Liquide's corporate site.