Linde to invest more than $200 million in Texas

MURRAY HILL, N.J. and NEW PROVIDENCE, N.J., May 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Linde North America will invest more than $200 million to build a large, state-of-the art air separation unit (ASU), a new gasification train and supporting equipment and facilities in La Porte, Texas. The state-of-the art plants are scheduled to come on-stream in the first quarter of 2015.

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The ASU will be the largest operated by Linde in the U.S. and the addition of a new gasification plant will create the world's largest gas-based partial oxidation complex for the production of syngas products for petrochemicals. "With the new plants, Linde will have a fully integrated presence in the Houston area that covers air gases and synthesis gas products production and supply to our customers," said Dr. Rainer Schlicher, head of global business unit, tonnage.

The air gases (oxygen and nitrogen) produced by the new ASU will supply the gasification assets at the La Porte site. The new gasifier will convert natural gas into syngas and constituent products such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen and carbon dioxide which are used to produce methanol, downstream chemicals and cleaner transportation fuels. The syngas products will be served by pipeline to a key customer. Linde also owns and operates three additional large, partial oxidation facilities that manufacture syngas products using Linde's world-leading syngas processing technologies and know-how.

Pat Murphy, president of Linde North America, said, "Linde is the leading syngas supplier in this region.  This latest venture, coupled with our unique portfolio of industrial gas and hydrocarbons technology, engineering and operations capabilities, will allow Linde to better serve the petrochemicals industry that is being driven to new heights by the shale gas revolution."

About Linde in North America

Linde North America is a member of The Linde Group, a world-leading gases and engineering company with around 62,000 employees in more than 100 countries worldwide. In the 2012 financial year, Linde generated revenue of EUR 15.280 bn (USD 19.9 bn). The strategy of the 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 company is committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development.

For more information, visit www.lindeus.com

SOURCE Linde North America