Air Liquide Co., Paris, France will invest EUR 40 million in a new Air Separation Unit (ASU) that will supply Klabin, Brazil’s biggest paper manufacturer, with oxygen. Under terms of the agreement, Air Liquide will invest around EUR 40 million in a new ASU that will supply more than 160 metric tons of oxygen per day to Klabin’s new factory in Ortigueira, as well as to Klabin’s other site in Telêmaco Borba, both located in the state of Paraná. The oxygen produced by Air Liquide’s ASU will be used to process and whiten pulp in a more efficient and environmentally friendly manner.

Augustin de Roubin, VP, South America and a member of the Air Liquide Executive Committee, said that "we would like to thank Klabin for its trust. We are very proud to serve the growing needs of major Brazilian companies like Klabin and to help drive sustained economic growth in this rapidly developing region of the world. This new investment will strengthen our presence in the South Region. In the past three years, we invested more than EUR 250 million in Brazil and we plan to continue our expansion in this country."