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BOC’s biggest investment, the world's largest nitrogen plant, came on stream in 2000 – serving the world’s largest offshore oilfield in Mexico, and has proved to be a major technical success. The nitrogen is used to enhance oil production from the field and has led to a 60 percent increase in production from the field. |
Year-on-year, BOC’s hydrogen business has grown steadily since 2000, and hydrogen use looks set to grow even more in the future as tighter environmental regulations on cleaner-burning fuels come into force around the world. By successfully winning a number of projects, principally in Asia and the US, BOC’s hydrogen production has grown by 30 percent a year since 2000.
Growth for BOC Edwards focused on the semiconductor business. From its roots as a supplier of vacuum equipment and gases, the business grew to offer a complete range of services such as wet chemicals, exhaust systems and fab management, and by 2005, BOC Edwards supplied eight out of the top 10 semiconductor chip manufacturers.
BOC Distribution Services was re-branded Gist. Since 2000, the supply chain and logistics management company has won contracts from high street brands such as Waitrose, New Look and Woolworths, and continues to manage logistics for Marks & Spencer foods.
In March 2006, Linde made an offer to take over The BOC Group. This was ratified by the European Commission in June, and was completed on September, 5th 2006.
Following the acquisition The Linde Group is one of the world's leading industrial gases and engineering groups. |