Situation in Japan as at March 17, 2011

The Japanese teams remain committed in ensuring operational continuity.
Moreover, Air Liquide is making a $1 million US dollars donation to the Japanese Red Cross to help those affected by this tragedy.
In this state of emergency, the crisis management team at the Group headquarters, under the direct leadership of the General Management, is monitoring the situation closely. It provides support to the Japanese management team and coordinates the action of all of Air Liquide’s entities in support of the Japanese teams.
The Group’s priority is to ensure the safety of its teams and to continue supplying its customers, particularly at this critical stage. Due to aftershocks, interruptions in the supply of electricity and difficult logistics, the Air Liquide Headquarters in Tokyo have been temporarily closed and the teams required to ensure operational continuity have been relocated to the Osaka region until further notice. In cooperation with the Japanese authorities, Air Liquide has put everything in place in the affected region to ensure the continuous delivery of critical supplies, such as oxygen destined for hospitals and homecare patients or nitrogen for the safety of certain industrial processes.
The majority of the Air Liquide’s sites and teams are located in the west and south of Japan, the most industrialized regions, and the production units there are currently operating at a sustained pace to meet the additional demands of our customers.

Air Liquide in Japan Established in 1907 in Japan, as Japan first industrialized, Air Liquide employs 2,700 employees, principally in the regions of Tokyo, south of Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu. It serves 15,000 customers across the country, particularly in Electronics. The Group also has a Research & Technology Centre in Tsukuba (near Tokyo) and an Engineering Centre in Harima (near Kobe). Japan serves as a Technology & Research base for Air Liquide in Asia and beyond.
Air Liquide’s business in Japan amounts to nearly €1 billion, 3% of which is based in in the northeastern part of the country (Tōhoku region).


Air Liquide is the world leader in gases for industry, health and the environment, and is present in 80 countries with 43,600 employees. Oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen and rare gases have been at the core of Air Liquide’s activities since its creation in 1902. Using these molecules, Air Liquide continuously reinvents its business, anticipating the needs of current and future markets. The Group innovates to enable progress, to achieve dynamic growth and a consistent performance.
Innovative technologies that curb polluting emissions, lower industry’s energy use, recover and reuse natural resources or develop the energies of tomorrow, such as hydrogen, biofuels or photovoltaic energy… Oxygen for hospitals, homecare, fighting nosocomial infections… Air Liquide combines many products and technologies to develop valuable applications and services not only for its customers but also for society.
A partner for the long term, Air Liquide relies on employee commitment, customer trust and shareholder support to pursue its vision of sustainable, competitive growth. The diversity of Air Liquide’s teams, businesses, markets and geographic presence provides a solid and sustainable base for its development and strengthens its ability to push back its own limits, conquer new territories and build its future.
Air Liquide explores the best that air can offer to preserve life, staying true to its sustainable development approach. In 2010, the Group’s revenues amounted to €13.5 billion, of which more than 80% were generated outside France. Air Liquide is listed on the Paris Euronext stock exchange (compartment A) and is a member of the CAC 40 and Dow Jones Euro Stoxx 50 indexes.