Updated: Thursday the 23^rd of February, 2012 Air Liquide

Market leader in Europe, one of the most important gas suppliers world-wide Linde Gas Division is market leader for industrial gases in Europe and a leading gas supplier worldwide. Together with an exhaustive array of gases for uses in the crafts, industry, medicine, environmental protection, and research and development, we support our customers with comprehensive applications know-how, extensive services and the hardware needed in gas applications. Conventional delivery of gases in cylinders and tanks is being joined on a growing scale by supply from on-site facilities or by pipeline for high-volume customers. We are well equipped to make the most of the market opportunities presented in Europe, North America, South America, Asia and Australia. Today 79% of our turnover is generated outside of Germany and most of our staff are employed there also. 1.5 million customers in 50 countries Carl von Linde invented the method of separating air into its components in 1902. The first air separation unit went into operation in Höllriegelskreuth near Munich just one year later. Today Linde Gas Division serves over 1.5 million customers in 50 countries worldwide via a dense network of production and marketing facilities. Nearly 19,000 committed employees generated sales of EUR 3.784 billion in 2000.