Home Healthcare acquisition in Colombia

Air Liquide is expanding its home healthcare business in South America with the acquisition of Oxymaster, a national sector player in Colombia.

Present in the Colombian market for almost 20 years, Oxymaster is specialized in home treatment and support for patients suffering from respiratory conditions (sleep apnea, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, chronic respiratory failure). Oxymaster has more than 240 employees and serves over 21,000 patients. The company generated revenues of approximately €9 million in 2016.

South America's third-largest economy, Colombia enjoys strong growth potential and has a robust healthcare system and social welfare coverage reaching more than 90% of the population. This acquisition, made via a majority equity stake, marks Air Liquide's entry into a new territory with high potential for its Healthcare activities. The Group will call on the existing teams to continue developing the company's business.

Air Liquide is already a major player in home healthcare in South America, notably in Brazil, Argentina and Chile.

François Jackow, member of the Air Liquide Group’s Executive Committee, supervising the Healthcare activities, said: “Taking our Healthcare activities into Colombia allows us to develop our business in South America in a growing market that benefits from an advanced health system. The acquisition of Oxymaster, recognized for its know-how in treatment of respiratory diseases and the expertise of its teams, fits well with Air Liquide's strategy of developing its Home Healthcare activity.”