One of Middle East's First 'Over the Fence' Gas Supplies Now on Stream
23rd June 2009 - Air Products and the Abdullah Hashim Group (AHG) today announced that their joint venture, Ajwaa Gases Emirates Company LLC, has brought on stream a new Air Separation Unit (ASU) and hydrogen production facility for Emirates Float Glass Company (EFG) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The new plant, built, operated and maintained by the joint venture, is the first 'over the fence' gas supply in the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi and one of the first in the Middle East.
Howard Castle-Smith, vice president Tonnage Gases, Equipment & Energy, Air Products Europe & Middle East, said: "We are very proud to have brought this new plant on stream to serve Emirates Float Glass, the biggest producer of float glass in the region. This project is yet another example demonstrating our ability to deliver on time and to customer's requirements. Our worldwide experience in designing, constructing and operating ASUs, coupled with AHG's unrivalled regional operation and back-up product supply capabilities in the gulf region, make our joint venture the partner of choice for our clients." "Our joint venture enables us to offer the highest standards of nitrogen and hydrogen supply, plant safety and reliability as well as product purity and power efficiency," adds Khalid Hashim, managing director of AHG.
Howard Castle-Smith concluded: "Air Products already holds leading positions in the Middle East, in key markets such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), gas-to-liquids (GTL), petrochemical and refineries. EFG's plant coming on stream demonstrates our continued commitment to the Middle East where we are together applying our core skills in many different industries and new sectors."
Air Products built the first ever ASU in the Middle East in the 1950s and has 40 years of operating experience in the region. The company's Middle East operation is headquartered in Doha, Qatar. It has been working with the petrochemical and refinery industries for several years, building, owning and operating ASUs and hydrogen production plants. Air Products designed and built two of the world's largest ASUs for Qatar Oryx GTL, at its site in Ras Laffan.
Air Products is the world leader in equipment for the LNG industry with eight trains currently running in the Middle East, and will commission six of the largest-ever LNG trains by end of 2010. It is also the global leader in supply of hydrogen and helium to industry - it owns and operates over 2400 kNm3/h of hydrogen production globally.Air Products has owned an operating facility in the Jebel Ali Free Zone in UAE since 1990.
The company is also pioneering new technologies, such as Ion Transport Membranes (ITM). ITM could generate savings of up to 33% in capital costs, as well as energy savings in large ASU and synthesis gas plants, compared to traditional and competitor technologies. The first 150 ton per day ITM oxygen tonnage plant will be operational in 2011 leading to larger scale up for clean energy and energy resource applications.
About Air Products
Air Products (NYSE:APD) serves customers in industrial, energy, technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and equipment and services. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment. Air Products has annual revenues of over $10 billion, operations in more than 40 countries, and 21,000 employees around the globe. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.
About the Abdullah Hashim Group
AHG is a company of Abdullah Hashim Group. The Abdullah Hashim Group is a privately-owned Saudi company which has been in business for more than half a century. Turnover exceeds USD 450MM, and it employs more than 1700 people. The group's activities are in three main areas - the import and distribution of industrial and automotive vehicles and equipment, including the agency for Honda cars and motorcycles in Saudi Arabia; the distribution of welding equipment and related supplies; and the manufacture and distribution of a wide range of industrial and medical gases, from four production plants and seven distribution centres. Its industrial gases activities include the distribution of welding equipment and related supplies; and the manufacture and distribution of a wide range of industrial and medical gases, from four production plants and seven distribution centres. Abdullah Hashim Gases offer Project Engineering infrastructure including project design and installation, as well as extensive regional operation support and back-up liquid gases distribution. www.ahg.com.sa.
About Emirates Float Glass Company
Emirates Float Glass Company is established to produce high-quality glass for the architectural, automotive and other speciality markets. The company is located in Abu Dhabi in a beautiful picturesque location and is majority-owned by Dubai Investment PJSC. Its facilities located in the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi, have a daily production capacity of 600 tons of glass currently & plans are on track for doubling the capacity in near future. The investment initiative is supported by credible investors from GCC region to eventually emerge as the largest glass conglomerate in the Middle East region.
For further information, please contact:
Guenaelle Holloway
Air Products, Corporate Communications
Tel: +44 1932 249 245
