Air Liquide has identified three major trends as sources of its innovation and growth strategy toward 2020, being energy and environment transition, changes in healthcare and digitization. The acquisition of Airgas in the United States, completed last May 2016, increased the Group’s size with sales of Gas & Services increased by +30%, optimally positioning Air Liquide in the United States, the world’s largest and most advanced industrial gas market for innovation and digitization.
Presenting the NEOS new corporate program, Air Liquide is aiming for revenue compound annual growth rate of +6% to +8% over the 2016-2020 period: the Group intends to generate substantial recurrent efficiency gains of more than 300 million euros on average per year, in addition to synergies to Airgas gains of more than 300 million US $, and a return on capital employed in excess of 10% after 5 to 6 years. Aiming to maintain its S&P ‘A’ range rating thanks to the strength of its balance sheet, Air Liquide will then reinforce its actions aimed at improving the air quality, for better environment and health, pursuing an active dialogue with its stakeholders to contribute to a more sustainable world.