Air Liquide (Paris, France; www.airliquide.com) will build and operate a new facility consisting of a carbon dioxide production unit and a cogeneration unit. This investment of around €40 million marks Air Liquide’s entry into the Colombian industrial gas market.
The new facility is part of a contract with Coca-Cola FEMSA, the largest bottler of Coca-Cola products in the world and the largest beverage company in Latin America. Under the terms of the agreement, Air Liquide will supply carbon dioxide as well as nitrogen, electricity, refrigerated water, compressed air and steam to Coca-Cola FEMSA’s largest bottling facility in Colombia, located in the municipality of Tocancipá, Cundinamarca, approximately 40 km north of Bogotá. Air Liquide’s new facility in Tocancipá is expected to begin commercial production in late 2016.
Air Liquide’s new facility will employ at least 30 people. It will be located within the Permanent Free Trade Zone FEMSA Industrial Park. Additional carbon dioxide produced by Air Liquide’s facility will be available to the surrounding market.
Michael J. Graff, Senior Vice-President for the Americas and member of the Air Liquide Group’s Executive Committee, commented: “Our entry into Colombia provides a major opportunity for Air Liquide as we establish our presence in this strategic market and further expand our presence in Latin America. We are very pleased to have reached this milestone in our working relationship with Coca-Cola FEMSA, a long-term partner of Air Liquide. We look forward to our continuing partnership and to supporting Coca-Cola FEMSA’s growth in Latin America by supplying safe, reliable and sustainable solutions.”