Linde Strengthens Petrochemical Hub in the U.S.

-Linde to invest more than USD 200 million in La Porte, Texas

-Will create world’s largest natural gas based gasification complex for syngas chemicals

-US natural gas boom providing strong momentum for petrochemical industry



Munich, – The technology company The Linde Group will invest more than USD 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 new plants are scheduled to come on-stream in the course of 2015.

“Linde is the leading syngas supplier in this region,” said Tom Blades, Member of the Executive Board of Linde AG and responsible for the company’s business in the Americas. “This expansion project will allow us to support our customers at the La Porte petrochemical hub even more effectively. This is important in view of the shale gas which is providing huge growth momentum in this sector.”

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 natural 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 its customers.

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. In this way Linde will supply syngas products including pipeline delivery 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.



About The Linde Group

The Linde Group is 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. 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, see The Linde Group online at www.linde.com