Air Liquide announced a long-term agreement with the second-largest government-owned steel company in India, Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL). Air Liquide will supply oxygen and nitrogen to meet the needs of RINL’s expansion from 3 to 6.3 million tons per year of steel. Air Liquide will build and operate two air separation units (ASUs), which are scheduled to start up by the end of 2012, with a total installed oxygen capacity of 1,800 metric tons per day.

This new facility of industrial gases will address the south India market, complementing Air Liquide’s existing presence in the north and west of India. The company’s total investment for the production facilities and supply chain amounts to approximately $93 million. The Indian steel industry is expected to triple its production capacity over the next decade.