January 2012
gasworld
View all stories from this issue.
10 minutes more with...Diana Buss
January 2012
Spend 10 minutes more with Diana Buss and see what else the Vice-President of Communications at the Messer Group had to say about communications, future travel plans, and her hopes for 2012.
10 minutes more with...William J. Kroll
January 2012
Spend 10 minutes more with William J. Kroll and see what else the Chairman and CEO of MATHESON had to say about the future of the gases business, future travel plans, and experiences of working within a Japanese culture.
10 minutes with...Diana Buss
January 2012
Take ten minutes out with Diana Buss, Vice-President of Communications at the Messer Group..
2012 Master Sourcing Guide
23 Jan 2012
In line with the launch of the new Specialty Gas Report website, the online version of the Master Sourcing Guide will be integrated into gasworld.com’s comprehensive industrial gas Directory. This updated Directory features thousands of industrial and specialty gas companies, allowing users to find exactly what they are looking for globally.
34th AIIGMA – A success in the making
10 Jan 2012
This morning saw the 34th All Indian Industrial Gas and Manufacturing Association begin. With 350 delegates representing all aspects of the industrial gas sector, the seminar entitled, ‘Growth in Industrial Gases through Application Technology’, looks set to be another AIIGMA triumph.
A new milestone for Siemens-Linde cooperation
25 Jan 2012
The significance of the Middle East as a supplier of helium in the future is well versed, less prominent is the region’s consumption of this gas. News of a contract renewal in Turkey, however, highlights the growth in demand from the country’s healthcare sector.
Absolute Vacuum acquired by AESPUMP
4 Jan 2012
AESPUMP Ltd, has recently acquired Absolute Vacuum Ltd, a Vacuum Pump Supply and Repair company that has been trading for 12 years.
AESPUMP acquires Absolute Vacuum
23 Jan 2012
AESPUMP Ltd, recently acquired Absolute Vacuum Ltd, a Vacuum Pump Supply and Repair company that has been trading for 12 years.
Air Liquide acquires 75% shares in Moscow stronghold, LOGIKA
1 Feb 2012
Air Liquide completes 75% share acquisition of LOGIKA – a regional industrial gas producer for bulk and packaged gases for industrial and medical markets.
Air Liquide Electronics completes expansion of ALOHA materials production
13 Jan 2012
Air Liquide Electronics yesterday announced the successful completion of a series of expansions at its ALOHATM manufacturing sites in California (US), Chalon (France) and Tsukuba (Japan), continuing its commitment to the semiconductor and electronics markets.
Air Liquide Electronics launches new offer
23 Jan 2012
In recent years, demand from the electronics industry for cleaning gases for large flat panel display and silicon thin film photovoltaic manufacturing has grown significantly.
Air Liquide to add fluorine cleaning gas solutions to customer offering
18 Jan 2012
To meet industry demand, Air Liquide has decided to broaden its offer by proposing an alternative to existing cleaning gases for its customers, adding fluorine cleaning gas solutions to its offering.
Air Products brings world’s first on-site high-purity ammonia plant onstream in China
16 Jan 2012
Air Products has brought a large-scale, on-site ammonia (NH3) plant on-stream in China’s Anhui Province to supply ultra high-purity NH3 to Anhui Sanan OptoElectronics Co. Ltd, a subsidiary of Sanan OptoElectronics (Sanan).
Airgas appoints Worley Vice President of Strategic Pricing
20 Jan 2012
The North American industrial gas company, Airgas, Inc. has announced that R Jay Worley is to be the new Vice President of Strategic Pricing.
Airgas reports encouraging third quarter earnings
27 Jan 2012
The North American industrial gas specialist, Airgas has unveiled buoyant results during the third quarter of 2012. Highlights include a 12% increase in sales alongside a 21% incline in adjusted diluted EPS on the prior year.
American Gas Group acquisition
24 Jan 2012
American Gas Group, a leading supplier of specialty gases worldwide, joined Praxair Distribution mid December, 2011. AGG packages a variety of specialty gases including EPA Protocols, hydrocarbons, VOC mixtures, reactive mixtures, high-purity chemicals and research-grade gases in addition to industrial and medical gas products.
An introduction to... ASU's
January 2012
Air separation units (ASU’s) are integral to the production of all industrial gases such as argon, oxygen and nitrogen by separating air into their constituent components, as our equipment profile this month explains.
ASCO Carbon Dioxide Ltd names new Managing Director
25 Jan 2012
Outgoing managing director Wolfgang Pöschl, who had managed ASCO since 2007 in addition to Messer Schweiz (Switzerland) AG, has accepted a new position and challenge to become Managing Director of Messer Austria. As of 1st January he has passed on the ASCO baton to Pellegrino, who has also become a member of the board of ASCO.
Better practice – An insider and outsider’s take on corporate strategy in 2012
January 2012
Jane Dawson speaks to industry insider, Air Products South Africa and end-user expert, IBM for advice on contemporary business strategy.
Big ambitions, bigger potential – Balancing growth and investment in the Middle East
January 2012
As one of the most promising regions for the gases industry and one of the major untapped markets, the Middle East offers a wealth of opportunities for growth. Tempering those opportunities with the right level of investment, however, will be crucial – as demonstrated at the recent Middle East Conference in Dubai.
BOC joins forces with Alstom and Drax in flagship CCS project
25 Jan 2012
BOC has revealed it is joining Alstom and Drax as a co-developer on the 426 MW oxy-fired carbon capture and storage (CCS) project currently under development at the Drax site in North Yorkshire, UK.
Breaking News: AIIGMA announces new President
11 Jan 2012
Early today from The Atlantis The Palm in Dubai, Saket Tiku was declared the new President of the All India Industrial Gases Manufacturers Association.
C K Gas Products acquisition sees industrial gas professional take the leap into ownership
26 Jan 2012
C K Gas Products, a UK-based supplier of gases, gas mixtures and related gas handling equipment, is opening a new chapter in its history after its acquisition by former Yara Industrial employee Wayne Pepper.
Chesterfield BioGas wins upgrading plant contract
18 Jan 2012
Chesterfield BioGas Ltd (CBG) has today secured a contract to supply and install upgrading equipment for the UK’s latest project to use gas from renewable waste resources and inject it directly into the national gas grid. The contract win is seen as a good deal for the company, a subsidiary of Pressure Technologies plc (PT).
China project award is largest single on-site ASU order ever
13 Jan 2012
Air Products has signed a long-term contract with Shaanxi Future Energy Chemical Co., Ltd. and will build, own and operate the largest on-site air separation unit (ASU) order ever awarded to an industrial gas company. The facility will include multiple ASU trains and produce 12,000 tons per day (TPD) of oxygen and significant tonnage volumes of nitrogen.
CryoGO – An evolution in cryogenic trailer design
January 2012
A joint venture started between Independent Cryogenics Ltd and Schingenschloegel GesmbH, CryoGO is in fact a project rather than a company. But it’s much more than a project, so much so that CryoGO might often be mistaken for a company of its own. Find out more in this month’s company profile…
Eyes on Europe - EIGA's 2012 Workshop draws a crowd
26 Jan 2012
This week sees a hub of activity take place in Brussels as the European Industrial Gas Association’s (EIGA) 2012 workshop unfolds.
First hydrogen powered supply chain platform deployed in France
19 Jan 2012
A tier one player was involved in the roll-out of a major first in France in recent weeks, when a supply chain platform powered by hydrogen-fuelled forklift trucks was deployed on 5th January. A latest generation hydrogen station developed and installed by Air Liquide was used for the first time to fill two hydrogen forklift trucks, for the supply chain platform of Air Liquide Welding.
Foster Wheeler wins Indian LNG contract
30 Jan 2012
Foster Wheeler AG’s Indian subsidiary, Foster Wheeler India Private Limited has won a significant LNG contract for a project situated in Tamil Nadu, India.
Full-year results reflect positive 2011 for Praxair
27 Jan 2012
Praxair, Inc. has reported an enterprising full-year 2011, reflecting on a number of contracts secured and ‘industry-leading profitability’. The Danbury, Connetcicut-based industrial gases major reported fourth-quarter net income and diluted earnings per share of $420m and $1.38, respectively.
Gas production – Advances in cryo and non-cryo
January 2012
Air Liquide’s Jean-Pierre Tranier, Nicolas Perrin and Richard Dubettier discuss developments in the worlds of cryogenic and non-cryogenic industrial gas production.
GENIE® range of gas cylinders released by Linde Gases
25 Jan 2012
Described as a ‘major development’ for the compressed gases industry, Linde Gases has introduced GENIE® – a technologically advanced, ‘groundbreaking’ new range of gas cylinders which represents a significant departure from traditional steel cylinders.
Global gases – 2012 and beyond
January 2012
The uninterrupted growth trend of this global industry over some two decades shows the remarkable resilience of demand for gases through previous economic cycles. A new set of demand drivers is also emerging that it is hoped will underpin growth in the short-term future, as Tony Wheatley explains.
Growth of Industrial Scientific prompts move to new facility
17 Jan 2012
Industrial Scientific Canada ULC has moved to a new, larger location in Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada. With increased growth in the Canadian market, the Sherwood Park Warranty Repair and iNet Fulfillment Centre outgrew its previous location.
Horiba Stec to expand operations in Europe
16 Jan 2012
Horiba Stec, a major producer of analyzing and measuring systems, is to expand its sales of the PG-300 Series of portable stack gas analysers in the European market. The strategic decision came into effect as of 16th November (2011).
HOT numbers rise, but increase shows signs of slowing
16 Jan 2012
While it had previously been thought that the number of HOT patients would keep increasing by an annual 4,000 or more in view of an ageing society, it seems that this has actually levelled out slightly and the increase has become slower.
Innovative cryogenic valves introduced by Boiswood
27 Jan 2012
A new range of novel cryogenic valves from STÖHR ARMATUREN (Stoehr) has been introduced by Boiswood, a UK supplier of gas and liquid pressure control equipment. A major advantage of the patented FREES valves for vacuum jacketed pipes is that they can be installed in any position, making it possible to reduce the length of pipework required.
Labmetrik joins Cambridge Sensotecs growing distributor network
13 Jan 2012
Cambridge Sensotec has announced Labmetrik Electrical Sdn. Bhd as its latest distributor. Labmetrik Electrical Sdn. Bhd was incorporated in the year 1998 and is one of the leading electrical wholesalers and dealers in Malaysia.
Linde Canada introduces portable gas detectors for use in confined spaces in industrial operations
19 Jan 2012
Linde Canada has introduced the G-TECTA™ line of portable gas detection instruments, designed for easy use and maximum protection against hazardous working conditions. The new line is perfectly suited for people working in confined spaces in industries such as construction, welding, manufacturing, petrochemicals and oil refining.
Linde Gas Singapore appoints new Managing Director
18 Jan 2012
Following the news of the recent rebranding of Linde Malaysia, more breaking news emerges from the South East Asia region with the appointment of Lim Seck Luan as Managing Director of Linde Gas Singapore Pte Ltd (LGS).
Linde to acquire Air Products' Continental-European homecare business, market position enhanced
9 Jan 2012
Breaking news: The Linde Group has signed an agreement for the acquisition of the Continental-European homecare business of Air Products at an enterprise value of €590m.
Microbubbles appear set to provide a new boost to the rapidly growing biofuels production sector
26 Jan 2012
A solution to the difficult issue of harvesting algae for use as a biofuel has been developed using microbubble technology pioneered at the University of Sheffield in the UK. The technique builds on previous research in which microbubbles were used to improve the way algae is cultivated.
Middle East Industrial Gas Conference 2011
20 Jan 2012
In December 2011, gasworld returned to the stunning Jumeriah Beach Hotel to hold its third Middle East conference.
Mixed first quarter results for Air Products
26 Jan 2012
First quarter revenues of $2.423m increased 1% versus the prior year on higher prices in Merchant Gases and Performance Materials. However, higher volumes from new plants in Tonnage Gases were offset by lower Equipment sales and lower volumes in Performance Materials and Merchant Gases.
NEL Hydrogen reports record orders and leading market position
23 Jan 2012
Last month saw the hydrogen electrolyser plant specialist, NEL Hydrogen, win four contracts worth a combined €15m. The move reaffirmed the company’s stature as a world leader in its sphere, according to reports.
New higher pressure, high capacity gas purifier from SGD
25 Jan 2012
The Model 8000A from SGD is constructed of a machined aluminium shell that accepts a high capacity replaceable cartridge. The shell may be permanently mounted when installed in the gas line and can be serviced without disturbing the line connections.
New year, new name – MOX-Linde Gases rebrands as Linde Malaysia and targets further growth
18 Jan 2012
Having completed a take over of the company in 2007, MOX-Linde Gases Sdn Bhd has now officially rebranded as Linde Malaysia Sdn Bhd. The rebrand marks a milestone in an integration process that began in Malaysia six years ago, to create a world leading gases and engineering company.
Praxair acquires Welders Industrial Supply
18 Jan 2012
Praxair Distribution, Inc. has acquired Welders Industrial Supply, LLC of Pasadena, Texas, an independent distributor of industrial and specialty gases, welding equipment, supplies and related services. Founded in 2009 by Ernest W. ‘Cotton’ Speed III, WIS supplies customers in the greater Houston, Texas area.
Praxair agrees to acquire Texas Welders Supply Company
3 Jan 2012
Praxair Distribution, Inc. (PDI), a subsidiary of Praxair, Inc., has executed a definitive agreement to acquire Houston, Texas-based Texas Welders Supply Company (TWSCO).
Praxair authorises $1.5bn share repurchase program
30 Jan 2012
Praxair, Inc. has authorised a new share repurchase program for up to $1.5bn of its common stock. According to the North American firm, the move reflects a strong balance sheet and free cash-flow.
Praxair buys Welders Industrial Supply
24 Jan 2012
Praxair Distribution, Inc. has acquired Pasadena, TX-based Welders Industrial Supply, an independent distributor offering industrial and specialty gases, welding equipment, supplies and related services. The company has some $4m in annual revenue and 10 employees.
Price increase for liquid and bulk helium customers in North America
30 Dec 2011
The North American industrial gas company, Air Products has announced a price increase on liquid and bulk helium. The ammendments will be effective from 1st January 2012, or as contract permit.
RasGas delivers first LNG cargo under long-term deal in Taiwan
27 Jan 2012
RasGas Company Limited (RasGas) has successfully delivered the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo under its new long-term LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with CPC Corporation, Taiwan (CPC).
Regional Markets – Focus on: BRICs
January 2012
When it comes to global growth projections, now is probably a good time to look at the BRIC’s. At a time when global activity has weakened, credit risks are rising and a fear of the unknown continues to grow, some solace can at least be found in the developing and emerging economies.
RHEA helium liquefier en route to Ras Laffan
3 Jan 2012
After six months of integration in Sassenage’ workshops, the helium liquefier of the RHEA (Ras Laffan Helium Air Liquide) project was hitting the road over the festive season, en route to its destination in Qatar. The liquefier hit the road from mid December to reach the purification and liquefaction helium plant at the site of Ras Laffan, Qatar.
Robust and resilient – Global gases in 2012 and beyond
January 2012
gasworld Editor Rob Cockerill and Spiritus Consulting’s Managing Director John Raquet met at the recent Middle East gases conference in Dubai, to discuss what might shape the industrial gases business in 2012 - and beyond.
SERVOFLEX MiniMP 5200 now MCERTS certified for CEMS oxygen analysis
17 Jan 2012
The Servomex SERVOFLEX MiniMP (5200 Multipurpose) gas analyzer has been awarded MCERTS certification, making it suitable for source testers that require reference oxygen (O2) analysis as part of the verification of Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS).
South East Asia Industrial Gas Conference 2012
January 2012
gasworld is excited to announce that in June 2012, the company will hold its very first South East Asian conference, in Singapore.
Standing room only - EIGA 2012 review part 1
1 Feb 2012
EIGA’s 2012 Workshop concluded last week, with more than 220 delegates in attendance and still more on waiting lists, there was no denying the popularity of the topic. But now that participants have returned to their desks, gasworld considers the lessons learnt that will outlive the agenda.
Success in the sun – AIIGMA’s 34th Seminar
11 Jan 2012
The All India Industrial Gases Manufacturers Association saw unprecedented success this week, with some 350 delegates from as far divergent locale’s as Nebraska to Chennai flying in to attend the definitive Indian industrial gas fixture of the year.
Tenaris group to acquire share in major Brazilian steel producer, via local subsidiary
27 Jan 2012
Tenaris S.A., the parent company of Italian gas cylinder manufacturer TernarisDalmine, has announced that its Brazilian subsidiary has bought into a leading Brazilian steel producer. The subsidiary, Confab Industrial S.A. (Confab), completed an acquisition of 25 million ordinary shares of Usiminas.
The past, present and future of the cryogenic equipment industry
January 2012
In my last column I spoke about the ‘ups and downs’ of travelling to promote our wares. This month, I’m going to talk about how this experience has given a unique vision on the evolution of our niche of an industry.
Tiger Optics joins the hunt for ghostly neutrino particles
17 Jan 2012
Several particle physics laboratories are using Tiger Optics’ LaserTrace and Halo instruments to monitor the level of oxygen and moisture in the detector medium that such labs employ to study the ghost-like neutrino particles.
UKH2Mobility programme to make hydrogen-powered travel in the UK a reality
18 Jan 2012
A groundbreaking project to ensure the UK is well positioned for the commercial roll-out of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles has been launched, Business Minister Mark Prisk announced today.
Upbeat about 2012 – Industry figures cautiously optimistic for the year ahead
January 2012
Rob Cockerill looks at a collection of industry views to get a feel for the market in 2012 and what some of the key players think we can look forward to.
Vargas to lead Praxair's political strategy
23 Jan 2012
Omar A Vargas has been named Praxair’s latest Director of Government relations. The appointment has been heralded as a success and is hoped to strengthen the industrial gas company’s relations with policymakers.
VRV Asia Pacific receives ASME certification
13 Jan 2012
VRV Asia Pacific has reached another milestone by obtaining ASME U, U2, and S Stamp certifications after meeting ASME’s guidelines for the design, fabrication, inspection, and testing. After obtaining ISO 9001:2008 certification by Lloyds, this is regarded as the next biggest achievement in quality certification.
WITT's new digital mass flow controller wings its way to food sector
20 Jan 2012
KM-FLOW, the latest release from German gas system specialists, WITT Gasetechnik promises new solutions to the food industry. The device, promoted the first of its kind, offers digital mass flow controlling for packaging applications.
World’s first modular small-scale GTL facility passes extensive test programme
27 Jan 2012
The world’s first modular small-scale GTL facility has recently passed an extensive qualification test programme by Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras).
Worley appointed VP of Strategic Pricing
23 Jan 2012
The North American industrial gas company, Airgas, Inc. has announced that R Jay Worley is to be the new Vice President of Strategic Pricing.
