Praxair enters into agreement with Haldia Petrochemical to supply
industrial gases
DANBURY, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 16, 1997--Praxair India entered into an agreement yesterday
with Haldia Petrochemicals, Ltd. for the reliable, cost-effective supply of industrial gases to Haldia
Petrochemical's complex in Haldia, West Bengal.
Praxair Inc will invest over $15 million to build the air separation plant at Haldia, which is scheduled to start up
in early 1999. Initially, the petrochemical plant will require up to 260 metric tons per day of high purity nitrogen
supply for blanketing, purging, and conveying applications. Praxair's plant will also produce gaseous oxygen,
and liquid oxygen and nitrogen for the local merchant market.
"Praxair serves the petrochemical industry around the world with reliable, low-cost industrial gases through
on-site and pipeline supply systems, and we are proud to announce our first pipeline supply system for the
Indian petrochemical market," says Indrajit Mookerjee, managing director, Praxair India. "Praxair's air
separation plants and applications technology are used in many industries that rely on an uninterrupted supply
of atmospheric gases to enhance manufacturing productivity, product quality and reliability, and environmental
performance. We look forward to supporting India in the development of its core industries with our proven,
environmentally sound technology."
"Contracting on a build-own-operate basis is common in developed countries. For Haldia, it is an efficient way
of financing and it enables us to focus on our areas of competency," says Vijay Chaudhury, president, Haldia
Petrochemicals. "The petrochemical complex is on a fast track, with the naphtha cracker now under
construction and with an early start on our industrial gases supply expected from Praxair. Establishment of the
air separation facility by Praxair, a major global industrial gases company, and by a locally Indian-managed
business further strengthens the economic development of the region."
Praxair India, which commenced operations in 1996, supplies India's steel, chemical, metal fabrication,
medical, food, and other industries with oxygen, nitrogen, argon, hydrogen, helium and carbon dioxide through
cryogenic air separation plants and other methods.
Praxair is one of the fastest growing industrial gases company in India and Asia, and one of the largest
worldwide, with 1996 sales of $4.4 billion. The company produces, sells and distributes atmospheric, process
and specialty gases, and high- performance surface coatings. Praxair is the world's largest supplier of carbon
dioxide and a world leader in the design and construction of air separation plants. Praxair is also a recognized
leader in the commercialization of new technologies that bring productivity and environmental benefits to a
diverse group of industries.
CONTACT: Eric Jones - (203) 837-2705
email: eric_jones@praxair.com |
