Air Liquide Canada opens New Western Canada Cryogenic Liquid Supply Center in Sherwood Park

Air Liquide Canada, a subsidiary of Air Liquide Group, the world leader in gases for industry, health and the environment, celebrated today the official opening of its new state-of-the-art Western Canada Cryogenic Liquid Supply Center, located at 150 Strathmoor Drive in Sherwood Park which employs 114 people.

“Air Liquide Canada is a proud contributing partner in Alberta’s economy since 1925, and indeed, in our national economy from coast to coast,” stated Ross Fuller, VP Air Liquide Canada. “Over the years, we have grown and evolved along with the people and industries of Alberta – so today’s event is a significant milestone for our company. This new facility will help us give better overall service to our customers in Western Canada in addition to providing state-of-the-art, maintenance for our fleet and training infrastructure”.

From this new facility, Air Liquide Canada is supplying cryogenic liquid gases to hundreds of customers from Manitoba to British Columbia. The facility has 78 parking stalls for trailers with concrete pad and a 17,000 square foot garage for trailer maintenance.

In Alberta, Air Liquide gases are mainly used in the petrochemical, steel, food and health industries. They’ll be used more specifically in the desulphurization of hydrocarbons, inerting processes in plants (for safety purposes) and in water and wastewater treatment applications.

Air Liquide’s enhanced capability to distribute industrial gases throughout Western Canada will benefit its customers through increased efficiency and reliability. Over the last decade the oil and gas industry have expanded its use of Air Liquide products thanks to breakthroughs in technologies and their positive impact on customers’ processes.

Dignitaries attending the event included Strathcona County Mayor Linda Osinchuk and MLA, Iris Evans. Ross Fuller, Vice President, Air Liquide Canada and Brendan Murphy, Distribution Regional Manager, Air Liquide Canada, welcomed participants in the loading bay of the new facility which opened its doors in March, 2011.

Safety is a key priority at Air Liquide. Employees are engaged through active communication on safety issues and are regularly trained on the best safety practices and precautionary measures to conduct Air Liquide’s activities in the most responsible and safe manner.

Air Liquide is committed to sustainable processes. The Air Separation Units of the group do not use any combustion processes. Since they discharge almost no CO2, sulfur oxide (SOx) or nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, they are particularly environmentally friendly. They consume electricity almost exclusively.

In addition, over 60% of the Group’s R&D budget is devoted to work on preserving life – for example, concerning therapeutic gases –, the environment and sustainable development with five subjects that hold an important place in it:
- energy efficiency;
- CO2 capture and storage;
- hydrogen, a clean energy carrier;
- second-generation biofuels;
- development of industrial gas applications in the photovoltaic industry.

Information: 
Air Liquide Canada
Daniel Richard
Manager, Communications
514-846-7735  

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 2010, the Group’s revenues amounted to €13.5 billion, of which more than 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.