Air Liquide Expands Relationship with Nucor Steel in U.S.

Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP (Air Liquide) announces the expansion of its relationship with Nucor Steel (Nucor) in Louisiana. Air Liquide has been selected to supply Nucor's new Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) plant in Convent, Louisiana, and has extended its contracts to serve Nucor's plants in Berkeley County, South Carolina and Blytheville, Arkansas.

Air Liquide will supply approximately 794 tons (720 metric tonnes) per day of oxygen to Nucor's new Convent plant with capacity from its new Air Separation Unit (ASU) in Geismar, Louisiana, which serves the local industrial basin via Air Liquide's extensive Mississippi River Pipeline System. The Berkeley and Blytheville agreements extend the long-term supply of oxygen, nitrogen and argon by Air Liquide to support the steelmaker's operations at those locations.

Air Liquide has provided Nucor's industrial gas requirements since the 1990s. Today, seven Nucor plants in the U.S. and one in Trinidad are supplied by Air Liquide.

Air Liquide products are used by Nucor and other steelmakers to manufacture steel and DRI. Air Liquide is a leader and innovator in providing oxygen and related technologies to improve combustion processes that help make production more efficient and environmentally friendly. Substituting oxygen for ambient air in the combustion process improves overall efficiency and reduces unwanted emissions. Also, inert gases like argon and nitrogen are critical to a number of steel manufacturing processes.

Michael Graff, President and Chief Executive Officer of American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc., said: “The longstanding relationship between Air Liquide and Nucor exemplifies the importance that we place on serving customers safely and reliably, using innovation and advanced technology to help them improve productivity and meet their growing business and environmental objectives. We are proud to be a part of Nucor's continued growth and success.”

Air Liquide in the U.S.

Air Liquide companies in the U.S. employ about 5,000 employees in over 200 locations, and offer industrial gases, equipment and related services to customers in the large industries, industrial merchant, electronics and healthcare markets.

Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP serves large industry in the U.S. by offering gas and energy solutions to optimize process efficiencies and help meet environmental responsibilities. In the U.S., the Air Liquide Large Industries business serves the refining, natural gas, chemistry and metals industries. It operates an extensive 1,800 mile pipeline system along the Gulf Coast and the Mississippi River as well as providing its customers with on-site gas production capabilities.

Air Liquide is the world leader in gases for industry, health and the environment, and is present in 80 countries with 43,600 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 €13.5 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.