Air Liquide to Power Canada's Largest Fleet of Green Forklifts
The fuel cell forklift trucks are the fastest growing segment of the hydrogen energy
market. In addition to producing no greenhouse gases, these vehicles also offer a
productivity gain of 2% compared to battery powered forklift trucks. In Canada,
where numerous publicly-funded research and development programs on hydrogen
energy have been launched in recent years, commercial applications are coming to light.
In this context, Air Liquide was recently awarded a contract to supply the hydrogen,
filling station and infrastructure to power Walmart's new fleet of green lift trucks at
the company's new distribution centre located in Alberta, Canada.
This fleet is the largest deployment of fuel cell lift trucks in Canada and the first
commercial contract in hydrogen energy in the country. It is also the first fleet of its kind supplied by the Air Liquide group.
Air Liquide Canada will design a dedicated solution for material handling. It will
integrate compact indoor hydrogen dispensers located throughout Walmart
Canada's distribution center. Those dispensers will be able to supply a total of over
100 kg per day and fill vehicles in less than 2 minutes. This fast filling generates a
significant productivity gain compared to battery swap operations for conventional
electric forklifts. Air Liquide will also supply the hydrogen, which in Canada is
produced using 98% renewable energy sources, such as hydroelectricity.
Over forty-five Air Liquide hydrogen stations have been installed throughout the world to date. Other publicly-funded programs in Canada include the Vancouver and Montreal-
Trudeau airports demonstration project, and the Whistler station, which keeps BC
Transit's fleet of 20 hydrogen buses on the road. In Korea, two new hydrogen filling
stations dedicated to cars have just been commissioned.
François Darchis, Senior Vice-President, Air Liquide Group, and a member of the
Executive Committee, commented: "We are very pleased to provide the hydrogen
and filling infrastructure for this first fleet in Canada. It is another step towards the global market Air Liquide has been anticipating. We are proud to accompany the
development of this technological innovation that will help to preserve the
environment. Both Energy and the Environment are growth drivers of the
Air Liquide Group."
Air Liquide is the world leader in gases for industry, health and the environment, and is present in over 75 countries with 42,300 employees. Oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen and rare gases have been at the core of Air Liquide's activities since its creation in 1902. Using these molecules, Air Liquide continuously reinvents its business, anticipating the needs of current and future markets. The Group innovates to enable progress, to achieve dynamic growth and a consistent performance.
Innovative technologies that curb polluting emissions, lower industry's energy use, recover and reuse natural resources or develop the energies of tomorrow, such as hydrogen, biofuels or photovoltaic energy... Oxygen for hospitals, homecare, fighting nosocomial infections... Air Liquide combines many products and technologies to
develop valuable applications and services not only for its customers but also for society.
A partner for the long term, Air Liquide relies on employee commitment, customer trust and shareholder support to pursue its vision of sustainable, competitive growth. The diversity of Air Liquide's teams, businesses, markets and geographic presence provides a solid and sustainable base for its development and strengthens its ability to push back its own limits, conquer new territories and build its future.
Air Liquide explores the best that air can offer to preserve life, staying true to its sustainable development approach. In 2009, the Group's revenues amounted to 12 billion, of which almost 80% were generated outside France. Air Liquide is listed on the Paris Euronext stock exchange (compartment A) and is a member of the CAC 40 and Dow Jones Euro Stoxx 50 indexes.
