Press Releases
Galati, 20 June 2012 - Linde Gaz Romania, a member of The Linde Group, today inaugurates the new air separation unit at ArcelorMittal Galati steel company. Back in April 2008, Linde signed the long term onsite supply agreement for industrial gases with the world-leading steel producer ArcelorMittal in Romania. The new unit is fully automated with a capacity of over 2,000 tons of oxygen per day and also supplies large amounts of nitrogen and argon for steel production.
“This official plant opening event confirms the success of our business in Romania and underpins our market leadership in Eastern Europe,” said Dr Hans-Hermann Kremer, Head of Linde’s gases business in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. “The new state-of-the-art air separation unit offers the most efficient delivery of gases and significantly increases supply reliability for ArcelorMittal, one of our most important customers, here in Romania.”
The contract, valid for a long period of time, is the largest contract taken on by Linde with a unique customer in Romania and includes, besides the construction of the air separation unit, the refurbishment of the existing gas facilities as part of an investment programme valued at over EUR 100 million.
„This production facility must deliver us the requested volumes of oxygene and other technical gases at the specified quality levels and best costs, as part of our plan to protect the sustainability of our primary flow operations. We congratulate Linde for their investment effort and we hope for a long and fruitfull collaboration”, said Bruno Ribo, Chief Executive Officer of ArcelorMittal Galati.
The technical concept behind the project was developed by a joint team from both Linde Engineering and Gas Division, customised according to specifications for industrial gases requirements in the steel plant such as the inherent complexity, continuity and unpredictability due to regional steel market fluctuation.
“The operation of the existing installations was promptly taken over by Linde in June 2008, just 2 months after the contract signing. Since this date, Linde provided an uninterrupted gas supply to the steel mill, while running the modernization works at the same time. We successfully managed to implement a highly complex project that phased in upgrading some equipment, building new ones and integrate them into one continuously functional system, without any supply gaps for the customer. “said Oliver Pfann, General Manager of Linde Gaz Romania.
The activity has been conducted in three major phases: the demolition of the equipment and the facilities belonging to ArcelorMittal Galati; the construction of the new cooling tower and a water treatment plant and the building of a new air separation unit. The constant programme of repair, retrofit and upgrade projects aimed primarily at improving efficiency, technical performance, and operational safety as well as implementing the Linde’s safety standards.
On 20 June 2012, Linde Gaz Romania celebrates the official opening of the plant with customers, business partners and guests from the region in the presence of high-ranking Linde senior management representatives.
About Linde Group
Linde Gaz Romania, member of The Linde Group, is the national gas market leader. The company produces and distributes industrial, speciality, medical and food gases, welding products, equipment and accessories and offers a wide range of related services. Linde Gaz Romania is present in most industrial segments in Romania, while the distribution area covers all geographical regions. For more information, visit the website http://www.linde.ro.
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. For more information, see The Linde Group online at
http://www.linde.com