Linde and Dahua to form new joint venture to manage existing gases production facility and install new leading gases infrastructure in Dalian
DALIAN, China, March 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Linde Greater China, a member of The Linde Group, will invest more than EUR 70 million to acquire, upgrade and operate the gases production facility of China's leading top 10 soda ash producers, Dahua Group, in Songmu island, Dalian.
"This is an exciting development for the expansion of our gases infrastructure with our long time partner, Dahua Group. Rapid developing is occurring here, driven by the Chinese government's national strategy to spur growth in this north-eastern region. Dalian is a beneficiary of this economic initiative and has become a major centre for shipbuilding, electronics and petrochemicals. This latest win further proves that Linde's leading gases management expertise and engineering technologies are valued in a rapid growth region," said Steven Fang, Head of Region Greater China, The Linde Group.
Linde will acquire Dahua's two existing air separation units (ASU) and construct a new ASU by Linde's Engineering Division at the site. The new 38,000 Nm3/h ASU, when on stream in 2014, will replace the existing units and serve additional gas demand to Dahua's operations. The new ASU will significantly increase the reliability performance of the gases facility and more energy-efficient flow of gaseous oxygen, and also produce surplus liquid gases for the regional market.
As part of the contract agreement, the upgraded gas production facility will be jointly managed by a newly formed 50:50 joint venture gases company between Linde and Dahua. Linde-Dahua (Dalian) Gases Company, Ltd. to sell industrial gaseous and liquid products, and provide relevant engineering services to neighbouring industrial hubs.
This will be the second joint venture partnership between Linde and Dahua. Linde and Dahua today already have an existing JV in Dalian for CO2 business.
Dahua Group is wholly owned by Dalian State Assets Administration Committee, with 33 subsidiaries in China. Set up in 1933, it is the earliest, biggest basic chemical material, fertilizer production basin in China.
The Linde Group is a world-leading gases and engineering company with around 50,500 employees in more than 100 countries worldwide. In the 2011 financial year, it achieved sales of EUR 13.787 bn. The strategy of The Linde Group is geared towards long-term profitable growth and focuses on the expansion of its international business with forward-looking products and services. Linde acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners, employees, society and the environment – in every one of its business areas, regions and locations across the globe. The Group is committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development.
In the Greater China region, Linde has close to 4,000 employees working in around 50 subsidiaries and joint-ventures, and 150 operational plants in major industrial hubs across the region. Linde Greater China is headquartered in Shanghai.
For more information, visit Linde at www.linde.com.cn
Contact:
Linde Greater China
Jane Li
Marketing Communications Manager
E-Mail: jane.li@linde.com
Telephone: +86.21.6105-9860
