Air Liquide Group Publishes 3rd Quarter 2008 Report

The world leader in industrial and medical gases, Air Liquide, published its Q3 2008 report on October 23, 2008. It shows sustained growth in this quarter.

In the 3rd quarter 2008, Group revenue amounted to €3,247 million, up +10.4% as published (+13.1% at constant exchange rates).

Gas & Services revenue, up +9.6% on a comparable basis, reached €2,760 million in line with the high growth rates recorded since the fourth quarter 2007. Industrial Merchant showed very good performance, in particular in emerging economies. Strong demand for hydrogen, unit start-ups and ramp-ups in Europe and Asia contributed to the sustained growth in Large Industries, despite the impact of hurricanes in the Gulf Coast. Healthcare is still solid in a context of increased cost-containment in the national health systems. Revenue in Electronics improved slightly, compared to those of the second quarter 2008, buoyed by good progress in carrier gases.

The execution of the ALMA program is on track with the objectives. The investment decisions and the portfolio of investment opportunities are in line with the Group’s ambitions. Air Liquide teams are maintaining their efforts to reach the objectives of the efficiency programs and to compensate for the increase in costs of recent months through an adapted pricing policy. Lastly, the Group has secured its short and medium term financing requirements and is continuing its efforts in the management of its capital employed to ensure all of the investments planned. According to the evolution of the environment, Air Liquide will remain attentive to reallocating priorities within ALMA if necessary.

Commenting on the 3rd quarter 2008, Benoît Potier, Chairman and CEO of the Air Liquide group, stated:

“The growth in revenue of +10.4% in the third quarter illustrates the momentum the Group has enjoyed for several quarters in its development.

The uncertainties in the worldwide economy due to the financial crisis reduce visibility for the year’s end, even though our markets remain well oriented.

In this context and excluding a significant slowdown of end-user markets, we remain confident in the ability of Air Liquide to achieve double-digit growth in 2008 net profit at constant exchange rates. Furthermore, we confirm our investment decisions for 2008 at more than €2 billion.

Beyond, the ALMA objectives of competitive growth for 2007-2011 are maintained both in growth and in efficiency, thanks to the resilience of the business model and the encouraging long-term outlook offered by the five growth drivers identified for the years to come.”