Air Liquide Wins Several Contracts for the Future European Launcher Ariane 6
Regulatory News:
Air Liquide (Paris:AI) has signed several contracts for the supply of cryogenic equipments for the propulsion of the future
European launcher Ariane 6, as well as for the design and production of the cryogenic fluid systems of the new Ariane Launcher
System (ELA4) of the Guiana Space Center. The contracts for the sale of those equipments, amounting to more than €100 million, will
be executed over the next three years.
Air Liquide will support the CNES (National Center for Space Studies) and Airbus Safran Launchers (ASL) in the development
aboard and on the ground of the future launcher Ariane 6. The Group will be in charge of cryogenic studies, and will
notably design and manufacture the cryogenic lines of the tanks of the main and upper stages of the launcher, which contain 175
tonnes of liquid hydrogen and oxygen. On the Kourou launch pad in Guiana, Air Liquide was also chosen for the design of equipment
for the distribution of cryogenic fluids - oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen and helium - required for the propulsion of the new ELA4
launcher system dedicated to Ariane 6.
Global leader in cryogenics for space, Air Liquide has been supporting the development of successive generations of
Ariane 1 through Ariane 5 launchers for 50 years, developing innovative cryogenic technologies and supplying a complete
offer, aboard and on the ground, of high technology equipments, gases and related services. Cryogenic propulsion offers
benefits in terms of reliability, safety, and technological maturity and ensures greater accuracy in orbiting satellites. Air
Liquide is participating alongside other players in the European space sector in improving the performance and competitiveness of
the future Ariane 6 launcher, whose first test flights will take place in 2020.
François Darchis, Senior Vice-President and member of the Air Liquide Group’s Executive Committee,
supervising Innovation, said: “A historic partner of the space program and a player in the scientific community, Air
Liquide has developed unique expertise in space cryogenics supporting the Ariane program in all phases of launcher development. We
are glad to contribute to a sector of excellence and to respond to the new challenges of the European space sector.”
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The world leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health, Air Liquide is present in 80 countries with
approximately 68,000 employees and serves more than 3 million customers and patients*. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen are essential
small molecules for life, matter and energy. They embody Air Liquide’s scientific territory and have been at the core of the
company’s activities since its creation in 1902.
Air Liquide’s ambition is to lead its industry, deliver long-term performance and contribute to sustainability. The company’s
customer-centric transformation strategy aims at profitable growth over the long term. It relies on operational excellence,
selective investments, open innovation and a network organization implemented by the Group worldwide. Through the commitment and
inventiveness of its people, Air Liquide leverages energy and environment transition, changes in healthcare and digitization, and
delivers greater value to all its stakeholders.
Air Liquide’s revenues amounted to €16.4 billion in 2015, and its solutions that protect life and the environment represented
more than 40% of sales. On 23 May 2016, Air Liquide completed its acquisition of Airgas, which had revenues amounting to $5.3
billion (around €4.8 billion) for the fiscal year ending 31 March 2016.
Air Liquide is listed on the Paris Euronext stock exchange (compartment A) and belongs to the CAC 40 and Dow Jones Euro Stoxx 50
indexes.
* Following the acquisition of Airgas on 23 May 2016
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Aurélie Wayser-Langevin, +33 (0)1 40 62 50 59
or
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