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Air Liquide Leads CDN$14 Million Hydrogen Energy Project at Canadian Airports

Dépèche transmise le 20 avril 2009 par PRNewswire

MONTREAL, April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Air Liquide is leading a CDN$14 million hydrogen energy project to demonstrate an array of innovative hydrogen energy and fuel cell technologies operating on the site of the Montréal - Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport and another international airport to be announced at a later date.

The project was announced today at the Montreal airport. This project is a collaboration between Air Liquide Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and Québec's Agence de l'efficacité énergétique (AEE), with the involvement of 14 other companies.

The project will involve an array of hydrogen-powered technologies and the fuelling infrastructure that supplies them. In Montreal, these technologies will help serve the airport's 12.8 million passengers each year through transportation in shuttle buses, as well as passenger and utility vehicles, and through hydrogen generated stationary and auxiliary power applications. Air Liquide will provide the hydrogen and install a unique station to fuel several vehicles at the same time at 350 and 700 bar pressures and to refill portable hydrogen tanks.

"We are very pleased, and very proud, to participate in this pilot world leading project with Air Liquide," said James Cherry, president and CEO of Aéroports de Montréal. "We are committed to offering all the support necessary for the success of this project; we will provide a location for the fuelling station and we will be among the most active users ourselves of hydrogen-powered vehicles."

"We are extremely proud to lead this major innovative project The confidence entrusted in Air Liquide by both levels of government and by the airport is a great testimony to Air Liquide's leadership and expertise in this field," said Luc Doyon, president and CEO of Air Liquide Canada. "Air Liquide's initiative and leadership in this project represents another step in our strategy to actively develop Canada's hydrogen energy supply and infrastructure. The two buses and nine other vehicles converted to hydrogen in this project will not emit any pollutants or greenhouse gases."

Hydrogen vector of energy:

Using hydrogen as an energy carrier is a promising alternative fuel solution for motor vehicles. Used in a fuel cell, hydrogen combines with oxygen in the air to produce electricity to power the vehicle, with water as the only emission.

Air Liquide and hydrogen:

To support car manufacturers in the development of their hydrogen-powered vehicles, Air Liquide has developed fuelling stations to fill fuel tanks with pressurised hydrogen up to 700 bars. These stations complete the fill-up in less than five minutes and as easily and safely as for a gasoline stop.

Air Liquide has supplied over 40 hydrogen fuelling stations around the world.

Air Liquide is the world leader in gases for industry, health and the environment, and is present in over 75 countries with 43,000 employees. Oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen carbon dioxide 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.

Air Liquide combines many products and technologies to develop valuable applications and services not only for its customers but also for society. 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...

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 2008, the Group's revenues amounted to (euro)13.1 billion, of which almost 80% were earned 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.

For further information: Julie Brouard, +1-514-846-7735

CONTACT: For further information: Julie Brouard, +1-514-846-7735