Mahler and Messer build hydrogen generation plant
company is being built by systems manufacturer Mahler IGS and
industrial gas giant Messer Griesheim.
The plant is being installed for confectionery processor Südzucker at its factory in Offstein, Germany. The company requires hydrogen to meet the increasing demand for the production of Isomalt (Palatinit), an artificial sweetener that is extracted from pure beet sugar by means of a patented process.
Isomalt is mainly used in the production of sugar-free sweets.
The plant, which is based on the process of steam reforming from natural gas, will have a capacity of 900 Nm 3 /h hydrogen.
For Mahler IGS, this is the fifth hydrogen generation plant it will have delivered in Germany. The company is building a reputation as a manufacturer of on-site generation systems for high quality industrial gases - hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen - as well as plants for the purification and recovery of technical gases and process waste gases.
Industrial gas giant Messer Griesheim is also involved in the project. The company is delivering a hydrogen back-up system for the company, and the delivery time for the whole hydrogen generation project is thirteen months, including erection and commissioning on site.
Messer Griesheim's involvement in the scheme comes at a critical time for the company, and for Europe's industrial gas industry as a whole. Gas giant Air Liquide recently acquired the firm's operations in Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States for €2.7 billion, altering the balance of power in a market that is playing an increasingly significant role in food production.
Prior to the acquisition, Messer and Linde dominated the German market, with Air Liquide a distant third. The acquisition will therefore enormously boost Air Liquide's position in Germany, with the potential to generate sales of almost €1 billion.
"Through this acquisition, the Group's new position in Germany and in Europe will enable us to further develop all our business lines and sectors of expertise," said Benoît Potier, chairman of Air Liquide's management board.
"I am fully aware of the impact of this decision on the teams involved in the divestitures in Germany. I will see to it that the anticipated divestitures take place in a coherent framework that is consistent with the group's principles and ensures the continuity of these activities.
"We can now turn our attention to our organizational plans in Germany and continue discussions to obtain FTC approval for the US portion of the proposed acquisition. I remain confident in our ability to conclude this transaction successfully by mid-year."
In addition, Messer's holding company Messer Industrie has completed the acquisition of the shares in Messer Griesheim owned by the former co-shareholders Allianz Capital Partners and private equity funds managed by Goldman Sachs. In connection with the transaction, Messer has completed a €400 million refinancing.
Stefan Messer, a member of the Messer Griesheim management board, said that the closing of the transaction represents an important milestone for the new Messer group in its strategy to focus on growth markets in Eastern Europe and China.
