Linde Gases, a division of The Linde Group, today announced the official opening of its helium production plant in Australia. The plant, located in Darwin in the Northern Territory, is not only the first helium production facility in the southern hemisphere but is also the industry's first significant helium source to begin operations since Linde brought its Algerian joint venture plant on-stream in 2006. The new plant in Darwin represents a major achievement for the company and its Australian subsidiary, BOC South Pacific.
The plant will produce 150 million cubic feet of helium a year - enough to supply Australia's domestic needs as well as providing capacity for export to New Zealand and to Asian markets.
As helium is produced at a limited number of sources around the world and demand for the gas has increased globally - most notably within the Asia Pacific region - the new plant, along with access to helium produced in Qatar, Algeria and the US, will provide Linde with multiple sources of helium capable of serving the needs of this growing market.
"In addition to securing helium volume for our customers, the Darwin plant continues our crucial and industry-leading diversification of sourcing. It also reinforces our position in Australia and gives us a key platform for servicing customers in Asia," said Steve Penn, Global Head of Merchant and Packaged Gases, Linde. "With global demand for helium expected to increase, the plant is undoubtedly good news not only for the Asia Pacific region but for the entire world."
Attending the opening ceremony and declaring the plant open was Australia's Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson and the Chief Minister of Australia's Northern Territory, Paul Henderson.