Further acquisitions in Healthcare

Home therapy is an option and is developing rapidly worldwide. Air Liquide serves several hundred thousand patients, as required by their medical prescription, thus being the industry’s European leader and one of the world’s prime providers. Having consolidated its positions in Europe over the last few years (Germany, the United Kingdom) and started its homecare business in Asia (China), Air Liquide is further strengthening its network through targeted acquisitions.

In the Netherlands, Air Liquide has just completed the acquisition of Comcare medical, a company specializing in the treatment of OSA. Comcare medical treats 7,300 patients, generating revenues of roughly €3 million in 2008. By doing this, the Group strengthened its position in the Dutch health sector. Comcare medical’s business complements Air Liquide’s existing activities, both in terms of targeted conditions and regional presence. The leader in Belgium and Germany, Air Liquide will now gain national coverage in the Netherlands.

In Tunisia, Air Liquide has just acquired Air Separation, a company specializing in respiratory care, thus strengthening its positions in North Africa. Air Liquide now treats almost one thousand patients in Tunisia, for a wide array of respiratory pathologies.

Jean-Marc de Royere, Senior Vice-President in charge of the Healthcare World Business Line and a member of the Air Liquide Executive Committee, declared: "These regular and targeted acquisitions in Healthcare illustrate our strategy. The ongoing expansion of our international network is strengthening the leadership of our medical business. We are preparing it for forthcoming demographic changes by focusing on the needs of patients and developing new services. Healthcare is a solid and promising growth driver for the Group."

 Air Liquide’s Healthcare Business Air Liquide’s Healthcare World Business Line serves over 5,000 hospitals and 300,000 patients throughout the world.
It provides gases, hygiene products and medical equipment to its hospital customers and homecare to patients in cities.
The Group’s Healthcare business made € 1,592 million in revenues in 2007, 63% outside France with 7,800 employees.

 Homecare Air Liquide contributes to the treatment of chronic illnesses such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and sleep apnea. The Group has also extended its services to other chronic illnesses, such as diabetes in France. These treatments are being developed in addition to hospital care and at the same time allow patients a better quality of life, and local authorities to reduce costs.

With more than 40,000 employees in 75 countries, Air Liquide is the world leader in industrial and medical gases and related services. The Group offers innovative solutions based on constantly enhanced technologies and produces air gases (oxygen, nitrogen, argon, rare gases…) and many other gases including hydrogen. The Group contributes to the manufacturing of many everyday products: bubbles in sparkling beverages, protective atmosphere for packed foods, oxygen for hospitals and homecare patients, ultra-pure gases for the semiconductor industry, hydrogen to desulfurize fuels...
Air Liquide is committed to sustainable development and helps to protect life. Founded in 1902, Air Liquide has successfully developed a long-term relationship with its shareholders built on trust and transparency and guided by the principles of corporate governance. Since the publication of its first consolidated financial statements in 1971, Air Liquide has posted strong and steady earnings growth. Sales in 2007 totaled 11,801 million euros, with sales outside France accounting for almost 80%. Air Liquide is listed on the Paris stock exchange and is a component of the CAC 40 and Eurostoxx 50 indices (ISIN code FR 0000120073).