Latin America: Air Liquide Expands Its Business To Colombia

In the context 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, Air Liquide will build and operate a new facility consisting of a carbon dioxide production unit and a cogeneration unit1. This investment of around 40 million euros2 marks Air Liquide’s entry into the Colombian industrial gas market.

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 kilometers 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 Park3. Additional carbon dioxide produced by Air Liquide’s facility will be available to the surrounding market.

Latin America offers development prospects for Air Liquide. Colombia, the fourth largest economy in Latin America, shows attractive growth potential supported by robust industrial and manufacturing activity, a rapidly expanding economy and abundant natural resources. Air Liquide is well-positioned to meet the growing needs of the region, supplying products, services and technologies to help industry improve safety, efficiency and productivity.

Air Liquide also supplies industrial gases and utilities to two of Coca-Cola FEMSA’s major bottling facilities in Brazil, in the cities of Itabirito and Jundiaí.