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SHANGHAI, April 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- The German specialist in industrial gases, Messer Group officially opened three air separation units with a total investment exceeding RMB660 million in Western China's Sichuan province in March. From these new plants Messer will supply oxygen, nitrogen and argon to its customer Panzhihua Iron and Steel Group (PG) and additionally supply manufacturers across numerous industries in the merchant market of the region.
PG is Messer's long-term customer in China. The first joint venture between Messer and PG was established in Chengdu in 1996, followed by another joint venture set up in Panzhihua in 2009. One of the three new plants which has a capacity of 40,000 normal cubic meters per hour was built to meet the expansion requirements of PG's Panzhihua base. The other two plants with a capacity of 30,000 normal cubic meters per hour each are aimed at supplying industrial gases to PG's new steelworks complex in Xichang city.
"The opening of the new plants will not only further strengthen our relationship with our long-term Chinese partner but also consolidate Messer's leading position in the regional market," Messer Group CEO, Stefan Messer commented at the opening ceremony on March 5.
As the earliest foreign industrial gas company who entered western China market, Messer has already secured a firm foothold in western China with six enterprises and a total investment of more than US$385 million.
With the fast development of western China, Messer has positive expectations for the future developments of its business in the region. Besides the newly opened plants, Messer plans to invest nearly RMB800 million in several major breakthrough developments in its western China's expansion within two years.
In Chengdu a liquid air separation unit of a capacity of 528 tons per day will be on stream at the end of the year to supply liquid gases to Messer's existing customers and to serve the fast growing electronic industry.
In Chongqing an air separation unit of 10,000 normal cubic meters per hour and a liquefier of 300 tons per day are scheduled to start operating in Changshou Economic & Technical Development Zone next year to provide industrial gases to renowned manufacturers of the chemical industry. Expansion in the chemical industry market is a significant step in Messer's strategic plan to diversify its pipeline customer base in China.
In Panzhihua another air separation unit for PG which is at the same capacity as the one just opened had the project kick-off in March and is scheduled to commence operating in 2013.
In Yunnan province, an air separation unit of 18,000 normal cubic meters per hour is under construction to supply gases to Kunming Iron and Steel Group's Yuxi branch and a liquid air separation unit of 300 tons per day will soon start construction in Haikou of Kunming. Both projects are expected to complete within the next 18 months.
Messer started investing in China in 1994 and so far has 13 companies throughout the country with a total investment of nearly US$700 million and 1,850 employees. Messer's products include oxygen, nitrogen, argon, hydrogen, helium, specialty gases and a wide variety of gas mixtures.
Introduction of Messer China
Messer started investing in China in the middle of 90s and so far has 13 companies located in Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hunan, Guangdong, Sichuan, Chongqing and Yunnan provinces, with a total investment of $695 million and 1,850 employees in 2011. The steady and successful developments have allowed Messer to join the ranks of the major foreign industrial gas providers in China.
For more details about Messer China, please visit http://www.messergroup.cn
Introduction of Messer Group
Messer is one of the leading industrial gas companies, and is active in over 30 countries in Europe and Asia, as well as Peru, with over 60 operating companies. Its international activities are managed from Frankfurt am Main, whilst management of core technical functions -- logistics, engineering, production and applications engineering -- is undertaken from Krefeld. In 2011, more than 5,200 employees will generate consolidated sales of approx. one billion Euro.
From acetylene to xenon, the Messer Group has one of the most diverse product portfolios on the market -- it produces industrial gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, helium, shielding gases for welding, specialty gases, medical gases and many different gas mixtures.
For more details about Messer Group, please visit http://www.messergroup.com
Your Contact
Jasmine Yan
Director, Corporate Communications
Tel.: + 86 21 23126666 * 5030
Fax.: + 86 21 63916860
Email: communications@messer.com.cn
