Federal Trade Commission clears the proposed acquisition of Airgas by Air Liquide

Paris: Air Liquide, a France based supplier of industrial gases announced that U.S. Federal Trade Commission has approved the acquisition of U.S. based supplier of industrial, medical and specialty gases, Airgas, Inc. Air Liquide will acquire Airgas, Inc., for USD13.4 billion. The two companies are expected to close the deal on 23 May 2016. Under the agreement, Air Liquide will divest its 16 air separation units (ASUs) used for producing oxygen, nitrogen and argon in bulk, along with pipeline oxygen and nitrogen businesses and assets, consisting 12 plants owned by Air Liquide and four owned by Airgas. The company will also divest its US nitrous oxide plants; four plants producing liquid carbon dioxide and dry ice; two Air Liquide plants producing liquid carbon dioxide; and three retail packaged welding gas stores of Airgas in Alaska.

TechSci Research depicts that through the acquisition, Air Liquide’s U.S. market share will increase and will leverage its reach to the Gulf Coast in the U.S. in the packaged/cylinder gases business as well. Additionally, the acquisition will also aid in maintaining its competitive position in the country.

According to TechSci Research report, “Saudi Arabia Industrial Gases Market, By Type (Oxygen, Argon, Nitrogen), By End User (Petrochemicals, Refinery, Metallurgy, etc.), Competition Forecast and Opportunities, 2011 – 2021”,  the industrial gases market size in Saudi Arabia is anticipated to cross US$ 1.6 billion by 2021. Growing demand from various end user industries such as refinery, metallurgy, food & beverage, paper & pulp, etc., coupled with implementation of favourable government policies are projected to increase demand for industrial gases in Saudi Arabia during 2016 - 2021.