Construction News Releases

Air Products’ Oxygen Enrichment for Cement and Lime Manufacturing Receives “Technology of the Year” Award at Global Fuels Conference in Malaysia

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Air Products’ (NYSE:APD) oxygen enrichment technology for cement and lime manufacturing was recently recognized by Global Cement magazine as the “Global Alternative Fuels Technology of the Year.” The award, given annually for the most innovative technology for alternative fuel use, was presented at the 5th Global Fuels Conference & Exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in April.

Oxygen enrichment is a flexible, efficient and cost-effective technology that allows manufacturers to overcome the challenges of maintaining burning zone temperature and product quality when burning alternative fuels. The technology enables cement and lime producers to burn alternative fuels more consistently and at a higher flame temperature. Enriching the oxygen concentration of combustion air can help manufacturers increase current fuel substitution rates by 30 percent to 80 percent, maintain or increase production, and lower operating costs.

Air Products presented a paper at the conference that explained the benefits of its proprietary technology and shared results of a recent installation in Asia that enabled a customer to increase the use of waste fuels and lower its costs. For more details, visit www.airproducts.com/cement.

Air Products has been working with the cement and lime industries for more than 30 years, helping customers with all types of kilns improve their operations. The company’s combustion specialists have extensive knowledge and practical experience in the implementation of oxygen-enhanced combustion in cement and lime manufacturing, enabling customers around the world to boost production, increase use of alternative and waste fuels, decrease emissions, and improve overall kiln operation.

Air Products (NYSE:APD) serves customers in industrial, energy, technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and equipment and services. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment. In fiscal 2010, Air Products had revenues of $9 billion, operations in over 40 countries, and 18,300 employees around the globe. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.

NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s reasonable expectations and assumptions as of the date of this release regarding important risk factors. Actual performance and financial results may differ materially from projections and estimates expressed in the forward-looking statements because of many factors not anticipated by management, including risk factors described in the Company’s Form 10K for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2010.

Air Products Completes Sale of Polyurethane Pre-Polymers Business to COIM USA

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Air Products (NYSE:APD) today said it has completed the previously announced sale of the assets of its polyurethane pre-polymers business, marketed under the Airthane^® and Versathane^® tradenames to COIM USA Inc., a fully owned subsidiary of global polyurethane chemicals producer COIM SpA.

Included in the sale was Air Products’ manufacturing facility in Paulsboro, N.J. Terms of the agreement are not being disclosed.

“We are pleased to complete this sale of our pre-polymers business to COIM USA,” said Bob Thomas, global business director, Performance Materials, for Air Products. “Air Products will continue to focus on the global growth of our Dabco^® and Polycat^® polyurethane catalysts and surfactants, Versalink™ curatives and our new Innovathane^® and Ancarez^® ISO products for the Polyurea coatings and construction markets.”

Polyurethane pre-polymers are used in many cast elastomer markets, such as industrial tires and wheels, printing rollers, cutting and metal forming blankets, and custom parts for dynamic performance and durability.

Air Products (NYSE:APD) serves customers in industrial, energy, technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and equipment and services. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment. In fiscal 2009, Air Products had revenues of $8.3 billion, operations in over 40 countries, and 18,900 employees around the globe. For more information, visit:
> www.airproducts.com

NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations.

Air Products Opens New Specialty Amines Plant in China

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Air Products (NYSE: APD) today has opened its new specialty amines plant in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China. The facility complements its existing local capabilities to support customers in the growing polyurethane additives and epoxy markets.

Located in the Nanjing Chemical Industry Park (NCIP), the new state-of-the-art specialty amines plant is a multi-reactor, multi-purpose facility designed to manufacture many of the amine chemistries marketed by the business globally. Air Products has already built and operates two large air separation plants and a pipeline system to serve customers in the NCIP.

“China is a high growth region for the world and for Air Products. China’s growth and domestic development in key markets and industries, such as construction, coatings, and automobile production, make this an important place for us to be focused on for growth and new business. We are honored to build our new capability in the world-class Nanjing Chemical Industry Park and participate in the development of Jiangsu Province,” said John E. McGlade, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Air Products at the opening ceremony. “The new specialty amines plant is another strategic investment that Air Products has made in China to better serve our customers with the range of performance materials and technologies that meet global performance standards and enable local companies to continue to grow and support development of their industries.”

The new specialty amines plant has significantly strengthened the supply chain capabilities of Air Products’ Performance Materials business in China and throughout Asia. Other strategic capabilities that the company has built for its Performance Materials business include a technology center in Shanghai’s Zhangjiang Industrial Park; a triethylenediamine(TEDA) manufacturing facility for polyurethane additives in Changzhou; warehouses in Changzhou, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Nanjing; plus a strong local team to serve both China and Asian customers.

The plant has also enhanced Air Products’ ability to supply differentiated products which can be formulated locally to meet local needs. The initial focus will be on several performance-oriented products marketed by Air Products’ epoxy additive and polyurethane additive product lines, including the Polycat^® and Dabco^® series of amine catalysts, and Ancamine^® , Ancamide^® and Sunmide^® series of epoxy curing agents used in diverse industries, such as coatings, inks, adhesives, construction, appliance and automotive.

Air Products (NYSE:APD) serves customers in industrial, energy, technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and equipment and services. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment. In fiscal 2009, Air Products had revenues of $8.3 billion, operations in over 40 countries, and 18,900 employees around the globe. For more information, visit:
> www.airproducts.com

NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations.

Air Products Completes Acquisition of German Epoxy Maker S.I.Q.

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Air Products (NYSE:APD) today announced it has completed the acquisition of S.I.Q.–Beteiligungs GmbH, a manufacturer of epoxy additives based in Marl, Germany. This investment provides Air Products a line of amine and polyamide hardeners and thermoplastic resins that complements its epoxy curatives business and broadens its offering to the European market.

S.I.Q. was founded in 2000 and has sincebuilt a strong presence in the epoxy additives business in Germany and other regions of Europe.

S.I.Q. is present at the European Coatings Show (Hall 10, stand 129).

Air Products (NYSE:APD) serves customers in industrial, energy, technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and equipment and services. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment. Air Products has annual revenues of over $10 billion, operations in more than 40 countries, and 21,000 employees around the globe. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.

NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations.

Air Products to Acquire German Epoxy Additives Maker SIQ

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Air Products (NYSE:APD) today announced it has reached an agreement to acquire S.I.Q. – Beteiligungs GmbH, a manufacturer of epoxy additives based in Marl, Germany. The transaction, terms of which are not being disclosed, is subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions.

“The acquisition of S.I.Q. gives us complementary product lines for the construction and coatings markets,” said Mike Hilton, senior vice president and general manager, Electronics and Performance Materials, for Air Products. “S.I.Q.’s line of amine and polyamide hardeners and thermoplastic resins will mesh nicely with Air Products’ epoxy curatives and broaden our offering to thesemarkets.”

S.I.Q. was founded in 2000 by a group and since 2001 has been led by Karlheinz Schoennagel,who has extensive knowledge of the epoxy industry. It quickly built a strong presence in the epoxy additives business in Germany and other regions of Europe.

“We are delighted Air Products sees our epoxy business as a valuable growth platform for their global epoxy additives business,” said Schoennagel. “We look forward to ensuring a smooth transition to Air Products.”

“Air Products is excited about adding the S.I.Q. business and the strong team that has built that business to our own global capabilities,” said Hilton. “Together, we will continue to focus on serving the growing needs of our markets and customers.”

Air Products’ Performance Materials business, with sales of $850 million in fiscal 2008, provides performance chemical offerings and solutions for the coatings, inks, adhesives, civil engineering, personal care, institutional and industrial cleaning, mining, oil field, polyurethane, and other industries.

Air Products operates in 15 countries throughout Europe, including the Central European countries of the Czech and Slovak Republics, and Poland, as well as Russia. Total European sales in Air Products’ 2008 fiscal year were approximately $3.4 billion.

Air Products (NYSE:APD) serves customers in industrial, energy, technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and equipment and services. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment. Air Products has annual revenues of over $10 billion, operations in more than 40 countries, and 21,000 employees around the globe. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.

NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations.

Grond Onder Rotterdam CS Tijdelijk Bevroren

Wed, 06 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Als onderdeel van de uitbreiding van RandstadRail, het openbaarvervoersysteem tussen Rotterdam, Den Haag en Zoetermeer, wordt ook het underground station Rotterdam CS uitgebreid. Daarvoor is het bouwterrein rond het nieuw te bouwen station geconstrueerd met diepwanden tot ongeveer 38 meter onder grondwaterniveau. Op de plaats van de bestaande metrotunnel kunnen echter geen diepwanden worden aangebracht, omdat de tunnel daarvoor een obstakel vormt. Bovendien bevinden zich vanwege omliggende gebouwen trekankers in de grond. Om de bouwput toch te sluiten en vrij te houden van grondwater, is met behulp van vriestechniek een constructie toegepast waarbij een ijswand de benodigde steun biedt.

Vriestechniek, zoals ontwikkeld en geleverd door het bouwbedrijf Max Bögl GmbH, is een gespecialiseerde discipline in de civiele bouwtechniek en is gericht op de toepassing van kunstmatig bevroren grond. Grond is in bevroren toestand veel stabieler en voorkomt verplaatsing van grondwater. In Rotterdam wordt met de inzet van deze vriestechniek onder de grond een verticale waterdichte ijswand gecreëerd van ongeveer 50 meter lengte, 2,5 meter dikte en 40 meter diepte.

Om de grond te bevriezen injecteert Max Bögl vloeibare stikstof van Air Products, waardoor de grond rond de bouwput tot -50º C bevriest. Vervolgens wordt deze ijswand in stand gehouden met behulp van een pekelinstallatie. De combinatie van stikstof- en pekeltechnologie garandeert de gemeente en de inwoners van Rotterdam een veilige en milieuvriendelijke omgeving.

De ondergrondse, waterdichte ijswand kan de druk van de omliggende grond en het grondwater weerstaan. De vriesinstallatie bestaat uit een gesloten circuit van pijpleidingen en heeft een capaciteit van 275KW, wat overeenkomt met zo'n 300 koelkasten in consumentenhuishoudens. Het injecteren van vloeibare stikstof duurt enkele weken. De vriesconstructie blijft in stand tot de vloeren en wanden van het underground station gebouwd zijn. Dat duurt ongeveer een jaar.

Vloeibare stikstof

Stikstof bestaat voor meer dan 78% uit gewone lucht. Het kookpunt ligt op -195,8º C. Vloeibare stikstof is kleur- en geurloos. Het wordt geproduceerd volgens een luchtscheidingsproces (ook wel cryogeen proces genoemd). Dankzij meerdere productiefaciliteiten, waaronder in Rozenburg en Botlek, kan Air Products de vloeibare stikstof leveren binnen een straal van 20 km van Rotterdam CS. Deze capaciteit is noodzakelijk, aangezien de vloeibare stikstof voortdurend aangeleverd wordt. Meer dan zeven keer per dag hervullen tankwagens de drie tanks van de stikstofinstallatie ten oosten van Rotterdam CS. Air Products houdt de stikstof onafgebroken vloeibaar in de opslagtanks (cryogene opslag).

Zeven tankwagens per dag

'Bij de keuze voor de leverancier van de vloeibare stikstof hebben we strenge eisen gesteld aan logistieke capaciteit. Dat is noodzakelijk met een project van deze omvang en complexiteit. De stikstof moet constant en op tijd worden bevoorraad. Air Products garandeert deze consistente levering', zegt Ralph Bentrup, Site Manager van Max Bögl.
'Dit is een complex project met diverse parameters, waaronder technologische expertise en logistiek. De voorbereidingen zijn van beide kanten zeer serieus uitgevoerd. Max Bögl en Air Products hebben de afgelopen maanden intensief samengewerkt om dit project tot stand te brengen', zegt Walter van der Ven, Senior Account Manager Merchant Gases van Air Products.

Betrokken partijen

Het RandstadRail-project wordt gerealiseerd door de Gemeente Rotterdam met Greater Rotterdam, die RET (Rotterdam Elektrische Tram) heeft aangesteld als uitvoerend orgaan.
Klant: RET
Engineering: Gemeentewerken Rotterdam (GWR)
Hoofdaannemer: Haverkort Voormoolen BV
Detail engineering: CRUX Engineeering BV

Media Contacts:
Theo Snijders
Wisse Kommunikatie
Tel: +31 26 443 1523
Email: theo.snijders@wisse-worldcom.nl

Francine Loos
Wisse Kommunikatie
Tel: +31 26 443 1523
Email: francine.loos@wisse-worldcom.nl

1019-air-products-sells-polyurethane-pre-polymers-business-to-coim-usa

Tue, 08 Feb 2011 17:10:24 -0500

Air Products (NYSE:APD) today signed an agreement to sell its polyurethane pre-polymers business, marketed under the Airthane^® and Versathane^® tradenames, to COIM USA Inc., a fully owned subsidiary of global polyurethane chemicals producerCOIM SpA. Also included in the deal is Air Products’ manufacturing facility in Paulsboro, N.J. Terms of the deal are not being disclosed.

“We are pleased to reach an agreement for our polyurethane pre-polymers business with a higher value owner like COIM,” said Bob Thomas, global business director, Performance Materials Division for Air Products. “Going forward, Air Products will continue to focus on its polyurethane specialties business. We have high expectations for continued global growth in our Dabco^® and Polycat^® PU catalysts and surfactants, Versalink™ curatives, and our new Innovathane^® and Ancarez ^®ISO products for the Polyurea coatings and construction markets.”

“This acquisition allows COIM to complete its Imuthane^® product portfolio with well established low free monomer technology,” said Lucio Siano, vice president and general manager, COIM USA. “The Airthane and Versathane business will also benefit from the up-stream integration provided by the state-of-the-art polyester manufacturing facility located in West Deptford, N.J.”

Polyurethane pre-polymers are used in many cast elastomer markets, such as industrial tires and wheels, printing rollers, cutting and metal forming blankets, and custom parts for dynamic performance and durability. Air Products acquired the Paulsboro facility in 1962. The acquisition marked Air Products’ entrance into the chemical industry.

About Air Products
Air Products (NYSE:APD) serves customers in industrial, energy, technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and equipment and services. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment. Air Products had fiscal 2008 revenues of $10.4 billion, operations in over 40 countries, and 21,000 employees around the globe. For more information, visit:
> www.airproducts.com

About COIM
Founded in 1962, COIM is a privately owned company, specialised in polycondensation products (esters), polyaddition (polyurethanes) and several other chemical specialty products. The high quality and variety of its products make COIM one of the main leaders of the field.

COIMoperates through a network of production sites located in Europe, USA, Brazil and Singapore, and several commercial companies and agencies located all over the world. The company’s unique structure guarantees quality and service and is coupled with the flexibility and efficiency of a multinational organization. The company’s mission is to constantly strive for improvement and innovation through the close collaboration with its business partners. For more information, visit:
> www.coimgroup.com

NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations.

COIM Press Contact
Beatrice Buzzella
Tel: +39 0373 248314