Protecting the health of employees, customers, patients and partners; ensuring continuity of service in essential sectors such as healthcare, energy and the food industry; responding to the health emergency by supporting unprecedented measures throughout the world to fight the COVID-19 pandemic… Spotlight on an exceptional mobilization.
From the very beginning of what has become a global health crisis, the Group has prepared and mobilized itself across the globe, putting its continuity plans into action and implementing remote working for its teams.
"In the early days of the crisis, patients were worried when we came to their homes but they were reassured by our protective equipment and our advice. It was our role to explain, with patience and education, hygiene rules that protect them."
Jessica
Home Healthcare nurse in Italy
Exceptional measures in an unprecedented situation
Air Liquide teams have been involved in initiatives that have emerged in China, Europe, the United States, Brazil, etc. For example, they have been working to convert certain locations (parking lots, stadiums, etc.) into field hospitals. Over four days, the Palacio Municipal convention center in Madrid (IFEMA) was turned into Spain’s largest hospital, with 5,500 beds, over a third supplied with medical gases.
In France, Air Liquide was involved in the implementation of medicalized highspeed trains in order to relieve overcrowded hospitals in the East region. The Group also contributed to the early opening of a new intensive care unit at the Henri-Mondor AP-HP hospital (Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris), located in the Paris area.
"I want to thank Air Liquide for all the efforts made to continue taking care of patients, despite the risks involved."
Pedro
Father of Luis a child with diabetes (Spain)
Names have been voluntarily changed to protect confidentiality
Unfailing solidarity
Spontaneous acts of solidarity have increased. Across the world, employees of different Group entities have come forward to help their Healthcare colleagues. Home Healthcare entities, for their part, have provided hospitals with concentrators, respirators and hospital beds—all precious resources during this time of crisis.
The Air Liquide Foundation has proactively contributed to this dynamic by supporting scientific research projects connected with the pandemic. Out in the field, it has also increased aid for local associations that are operating among the most vulnerable communities.
Ensuring the continuity of essential activities
A further challenge has been maintaining and adapting the gas supply in order to guarantee the supply chain for essential sectors such as the food industry, energy or healthcare. At its sites, Air Liquide has refocused its operations on the production of molecules that are essential to health, nutrition and mobility. This continuity of service has been recognized by many of our customers. Teams have also been mobilized in Electronics in order to ensure the supply of advanced materials required for the manufacture of semiconductors, essential for the digital infrastructures that were particularly in demand during the crisis.
In tackling these industrial and human challenges, Air Liquide is more than ever in line with its ambition to contribute to a sustainable society, with all its stakeholders.
For many years, Air Liquide has been a major player in home healthcare throughout the world, an expert in homecare for chronic diseases and a supplier of medical gases for hospitals. Today, the Group helps 1.7 million patients at home and 15,000 hospitals and clinics in over 35 countries.
