New investment in Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago’s considerable natural gas and oil resources have enabled it to become the most industrialized nation in the Caribbean region. Trinidad and Tobago is one of the world’s leading exporters of methanol with 6.5 million tonnes per year, and ammonia with 6.7 million tonnes per year.

Air Liquide Trinidad and Tobago already serves the major producers of this sector in Trinidad, many of which are embarking on expansion plans, because of the high demand for their products. Methanol, for instance, is a petrochemical used to manufacture products such as synthetic textiles, foam cushions, recyclable plastics, household paints or adhesives.

In this context, the need for industrial gases of Air Liquide Trinidad and Tobago’s clients has grown significantly, leading to an investment of over 40 million euros in a new air separation unit (ASU) with a capacity of 720 tonnes per day of gaseous oxygen and 1,500 tonnes per day of gaseous nitrogen. This new unit will serve existing customers as well as new projects. The ASU is scheduled to begin operation in mid-year 2009 and will be located in Point Lisas, the country’s main industrial basin.

Pierre Dufour, Executive Vice-President, Air Liquide Group, in charge of the World Business Line Large Industries, stated: “This new investment in Trinidad is an example of our team’s ability to build long-term relationships based on proximity with our customers and to accompany them all around the world. This investment is also further proof of our Group’s commitment to pursue its growth strategy in dynamic areas”.