Foundation stone laid for Turkey’s largest ASU

On 24 February, the foundation stone was laid for an air separation unit (ASU) which is being built by the German plant engineering company Messer AGS, a subsidiary of the Messer Group. The event took place in Iskenderun at the premises of Isdemir, Turkey’s leading iron and steel manufacturer, in the presence of prime minister Erdogan. The total value of the planned investment equates to approximately €26 million. “We look forward to the challenge of building the largest air separation unit in Turkey to date,” said Peter Stocks, managing director of Messer Griesheim GmbH, in front of guests assembled at the ceremony. He added: “We are running to schedule with regard to the engineering and production of cryo-components, which means that this energy-saving plant will be able to produce oxygen, nitrogen and argon by autumn of 2005.” With a production capacity of 620 tonnes of oxygen per day, the new oxygen demand for steel production will also be covered.

The separation column at the heart of the plant is being manufactured by Messer AGS in Hanau, situated close to Frankfurt am Main. This will be transported together with the other components to Turkey by barge and seagoing vessel, where they will be assembled, installed and put into operation on-site.

The Messer Group

Messer ranks among the world’s leading industrial gas corporations focusing primarily on the European market, the US and selected growth markets such as China. The company produces a wide range of industrial gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, helium, shielding gases for welding, specialty gases, medical gases and many different gas mixtures. In Europe, Messer is ranked third against its competitors. More than 7,000 employees generated a group turnover of around €1.5 billion in 2002.About 250,000 customers worldwide benefit from the customised processes and services on offer - throughout all sectors of industry: in foodstuffs technology, medicine, as well as in research and science. The Messer brand represents numerous ideas and innovations in the field of industrial gases. This is evidenced by more than 3,500 patents registered in our name.

Messer AGS

Messer AGS draws on the expertise and innovative force of the Messer Group for technology, the global construction and further development of state-of-the-art plants for industrial air separation and gas generation, purification and disposal. In brief: Advanced Gas Systems. Around 120 highly qualified experts are employed within the engineering team at the Krefeld site and at the construction and manufacturing centre in Hanau - all working on the optimum technical solution for their customers.

Messer Aligaz

In Turkey, Messer is represented through the national company Messer Aligaz Holding Anonim Sirketi: www.messer.com.tr