Air Liquide - The Technology Partner for France's First industrial CO2 Capture Project
International experts now herald CO2 capture and geological storage as promising ways for preserving the
environment and contributing to combating climate change. These processes consist of capturing industrial
emissions of CO2 and burying them in the deep layers of the Earth, thereby reproducing what nature has been
doing for millions of years in natural CO2 pools.
Air Liquide has just entered into a technology partnership with Total Group to supply new oxycombustion
technologies for the first pilot CO2 capture and storage installation in France in the Lacq industrial basin in South-
Western France.
New combustion technologies are used to replace the air (roughly consisting of 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen) by
oxygen. Using oxygen for fossil fuel-based energy production technologies, leads to high concentrations of CO2
in the flue gases, making it economically viable to capture, transport and store CO2 in the sub-soil. Air Liquide has
developed highly specialised expertise in this field, with over 800 combustion patents to its credit.
Under the agreement, Total will inject up to 150,000 tonnes of CO2 over two years into a former natural gas pool
near Lacq at a depth of 4,500 metres. The first CO2 injections will be made in November 2008.
Air Liquide is already involved in several other CO2 storage research projects, notably in Poland, the United States,
and Canada.
François Darchis, Air Liquide Executive Committee member, stated: "Electricity production is currently
responsible for about 30% of the world's CO2 emissions. Reducing gas emissions with capture and
storage processes requires the introduction of new technologies such as oxycombustion. This first pilot
project in France is further illustration of our capacity to develop innovative technologies and offer more
environmentally-friendly industrial solutions. Today Air Liquide spends over 50% of its R&D budget on
sustainable development projects."
Present in 72 countries, Air Liquide is a world leader in industrial and medical gases and related services. The Group offers
innovative solutions based on constantly enhanced technologies. These solutions, which are consistent with Air Liquide's
commitment to sustainable development, help to protect life and enable our customers to manufacture many indispensable
everyday products. Founded in 1902, Air Liquide has more than 36,000 employees. The Group has successfully developed a
long-term relationship with its shareholders built on trust and transparency and guided by the principles of corporate
governance. Since the publication of its first consolidated financial statements in 1971, Air Liquide has posted strong and
steady earnings growth. Sales in 2006 totaled 10,949 million euros, with sales outside France accounting for almost 80%. Air
Liquide is listed on the Paris stock exchange and is a component of the CAC 40 and Eurostoxx 50 indices (ISIN code
FR 0000120073).
For further information, please contact:
Corporate Communication
Dominique Maire �� + 33 (0)1 40 62 53 56
Corinne Estrade-Bordry �� + 33 (0)1 40 62 51 31
www.airliquide.com
