Air Liquide, technological partner of the Challenge Bibendum 2010

The Challenge Bibendum, organized by Michelin since 1998, gathers over four days more than two thousand representatives from business and industry, the scientific community, international and national institutions, NGOs and media to explore the challenges and solutions for sustainable road mobility. This international event is an opportunity to showcase innovation in trucks, buses, cars, clean urban vehicles and, in particular, around 10 vehicles powered by hydrogen.

The Group will set up a bi-pressure hydrogen filling station (350 and 700 bars) so that various types of hydrogen-powered vehicles can fuel up - both for the purpose of carrying out various tests and assessments from the Riocentro test center and for rallies during which vehicles equipped with the latest technologies will get a chance to demonstrate how well they perform on the road under real driving conditions.
Based on patented Air Liquide technologies, these hydrogen filling stations enable vehicles to fill up in less than 5 minutes in the same conditions as vehicles that run on conventional fuel, for a driving range that can reach up 500 kilometers for some vehicles. Over the last four years, Air Liquide has designed, built and commissioned a growing number of hydrogen filling stations. More than 40 Air Liquide stations have been installed throughout the world to date.

Air Liquide will also take part in the roundtables organized by Michelin, and in the Forum that will end the Challenge. This forum brings together political and economic leaders to exchange ideas on the technological and socio-economic aspects of sustainable road mobility. On June 1, as part of this forum, Pierre Dufour, Senior Executive Vice-President of the Air Liquide group will participate in the debate on alternative energies.

Air Liquide is contributing to a very large number of projects and events aimed at advancing research and innovation as well as promoting social acceptance of this new energy carrier.

As the world leader, Air Liquide intends to facilitate access to clean and renewable energy to as wide a public as possible. The Group is developing each of the technologies needed for this sector and is thus contributing to putting in place all the conditions required for the successful deployment of hydrogen energy in the future.

Air Liquide in Brazil
Founded in 1945, Air Liquide Brazil employs more than 1,500 people and works with more than 50,000 customers. Present in Brazil’s major industrial regions, Air Liquide supplies a number of industries such as aeronautics, automotive, food & beverages, chemicals, defense, electronics, energy, metallurgy, mining, etc.
Including hospital and homecare business, Air Liquide Brazil Health activities represent 25% of its total business.
A major contract was recently renewed for 10 years with the Coca-Cola FEMSA group. The Air Liquide group will provide and manage electrical power, CO2, steam and other utilities needed for the beverage production process.

Hydrogen, an energy carrier The world of energy is in the midst of deep change and hydrogen is one of the solutions that offer a response in the short term to the challenges of sustainable mobility: reducing greenhouse gases, local pollution in our cities and dependency on oil-based fuels. Used in the fuel cell, hydrogen combines with oxygen from air to produce electricity, with water as the only by-product.
Hydrogen can be produced from a various range of energy sources, natural gas, in particular, but also renewable energy sources. Hydrogen thus has great potential to provide clean energy and ensure reliability of supplies.
Air Liquide is present across the entire hydrogen energy chain (production, distribution, high-pressure storage, fuel cells and hydrogen filling stations).

Air Liquide is the world leader in gases for industry, health and the environment, and is present in over 75 countries with 42,300 employees. Oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen and rare gases have been at the core of Air Liquide’s activities since its creation in 1902. Using these molecules, Air Liquide continuously reinvents its business, anticipating the needs of current and future markets. The Group innovates to enable progress, to achieve dynamic growth and a consistent performance.
Innovative technologies that curb polluting emissions, lower industry’s energy use, recover and reuse natural resources or develop the energies of tomorrow, such as hydrogen, biofuels or photovoltaic energy… Oxygen for hospitals, homecare, fighting nosocomial infections… Air Liquide combines many products and technologies to develop valuable applications and services not only for its customers but also for society.
A partner for the long term, Air Liquide relies on employee commitment, customer trust and shareholder support to pursue its vision of sustainable, competitive growth. The diversity of Air Liquide’s teams, businesses, markets and geographic presence provides a solid and sustainable base for its development and strengthens its ability to push back its own limits, conquer new territories and build its future.
Air Liquide explores the best that air can offer to preserve life, staying true to its sustainable development approach. In 2009, the Group’s revenues amounted to €12 billion, of which almost 80% were generated outside France. Air Liquide is listed on the Paris Euronext stock exchange (compartment A) and is a member of the CAC 40 and Dow Jones Euro Stoxx 50 indexes.