Beyond Poland:Air Products Looks to Central Europe

Air Products' acquisition of BOC Gazy in Poland will allow the U.S. industrial gases company to take advantage of Central Europe's strong growth. In addition, the acquisition will serve as a bridge to the Ukraine, Russia, and other countries in Eastern Europe as these markets expand. "This is not only a play for Poland," one company official noted. The BOC Gazy acquisition includes on-site facilities serving chemicals and steel firms as well as assets in liquid bulk and packaged gas. Air Products hopes to close the deal by March or April. It is purchasing BOC Gazy from Linde for $480 million.