The Board of Directors of BOC Pakistan Limited, a member of The Linde Group, on 11 March 2010 approved an investment of more than Rs. 2 billion (EUR 17 million) for the installation of a new state-of-the-art air separation plant and related supply chain equipment in Lahore. The approval also includes additional investment in vacuum insulated tanks and tankers to significantly add to the existing logistics capability in the northern part of the country.
This new air separation plant will be the largest in the country and will have the capability to produce up to 150 tons per day of merchant and gaseous products such as oxygen, nitrogen and argon. The project is expected to be commissioned by the first quarter of 2012, according to BOC Pakistan Limited's Chief Executive, Syed Ayaz Bokhari.
Speaking on the occasion Mr Bokhari said, "The investment is critical for BOC Pakistan to both serve the growing markets of North Pakistan and more importantly, enhance its production capacity in Lahore. The investment is also a commitment to the continuous process of enhancing service to our existing and potential customers."
The investment will not only meet the existing demand of customers in the steel, glass, food, hospital, chemicals, and oil & gas sectors, but is also reflective of the continued commitment of BOC Pakistan Limited and The Linde Group to meet future demand and market opportunities in Pakistan.
Sanjiv Lamba, Regional Business Unit Head for The Linde Group's South & East Asia markets said from Singapore, "BOC Pakistan is part of The Linde Group, a world leading gases and engineering company. This latest investment is in addition to other recent investments of over Rs. 250 million (EUR 2 million) in modern facilities for the production of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide plants. The investment in the largest plant in Pakistan is reflective of The Linde Group's commitment to grow its business in Pakistan by serving our customers and industry sectors in the most efficient and effective manner."