Portugal: long-term contracts signed

Air Liquide recently signed long-term contracts with Repsol Polimeros and Artelia Ambiente located in the industrial basin of Sines, 150 km from Lisbon in Portugal. Repsol Polimeros is the largest chemical company in Portugal and a member of Repsol, the integrated international oil and gas group with activities in over 30 countries and a leader in Spain and Argentina. Artelia Ambiente is a subsidiary of Veolia Environnement, the world leader in environmental solutions.

Air Liquide will supply the petrochemical plant of Repsol Polimeros with nitrogen as part of its expansion project in Sines.

Nitrogen supplied to Artelia Ambiente will be used for the new PTA plant (terephthalic acid) which will be established in this industrial zone.

Air Liquide's new production unit in Sines will include a gaseous oxygen and nitrogen production unit together with liquefied gas capacity of 400 tonnes per day. In addition to meeting the future needs of the Sines industrial site, it will also serve customers in Lisbon, southern Portugal and south-west Spain. The total investment of €50 million was announced by the Group on May 28, 2008.

Air Liquide is thus meeting the growing needs of its customers in this rapidly developing zone, and is consolidating its position as leader in Portugal and Spain.