Air Liquide Posts H1 Records
Year:2009 ISSUE:23
COLUMN:M & A, BUSINESS & TRADE
Click:226    DateTime:Aug.19,2009
Air Liquide Posts H1 Records   

Air Liquide announced the revenue for the first half of 2009 reduced slightly by 6.8%, to Euro 5.937 billion, half of which is attributable to the decline in natural gas prices.
   The net profit was Euro 596 million, almost at the same level as the first half 2008.
   Large Industries, buoyed by start-ups and ramp-ups in China, Europe and the Middle East, and Healthcare, especially in the homecare sector, are still growing.
   Electronics is progressively picking up, in particular in Asia with a recovery in volumes of specialty and carrier gases. In Industrial Merchant, the volumes have now stabilized, albeit at a low level. The number of investment projects entering the portfolio of opportunities is again on the rise.
   Air Liquide says the group will continue to invest in five growth drivers - Energy, Environment, Emerging Economies, Health and High-Tech, to strengthen its strategic positioning.