LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., Nov. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Air Products (NYSE: APD) today announced it has been awarded the contract to supply two oxygen plants at the site of a copper smelter being built in Zambia by Kansanshi Mining Plc.  The scope of the agreement includes Air Products supply of two 750 metric ton per day oxygen plants, and all air separation unit (ASU) related equipment and design. The construction of the facility will be undertaken by Kansanshi Mining Plc, with cooperation from Air Products.  The ASUs are planned to be onstream in 2014.

Air Products has oxygen plants operating at other copper mines also located in Zambia and the local expertise and work at those facilities was of benefit in winning this contract.  "The basis for the design of this new plant for Kansanshi comes from the previously constructed plants.  Being able to reuse the design for these cold boxes created a win-win for our client and Air Products.  We were able to demonstrate that our technology offering was a competitive and proven product," said Aled Williams, project manager for Air Products.

"This project strengthens our global position in the non-ferrous sector," said Mark Northwood, regional sales manager - Europe, Africa and the Middle East at Air Products.  "It is a typical example of Air Products drawing on its leading technical expertise to provide solutions and add value for our customers."  Air Products has had industrial gas operations in Zambia since 2001. 

In 2011, Kansanshi Mining Plc, the largest copper mine in Africa, produced 230,000 tonnes of copper. Kansanshi is in the process of increasing its current production capacity by 60 percent to 400,000 tonnes by 2015.  The first production from this multi-phase expansion project was realized in mid-2012.

About Air Products

Air Products (NYSE: APD) provides atmospheric, process and specialty gases; performance materials; equipment; and technology. For over 70 years, the company has enabled customers to become more productive, energy efficient and sustainable. More than 20,000 employees in over 50 countries supply innovative solutions to the energy, environment and emerging markets. These include semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, coal gasification, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. In fiscal 2012, Air Products had sales approaching $10 billion. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.

NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management's reasonable expectations and assumptions as of the date of this release regarding important risk factors. Actual performance and financial results may differ materially from projections and estimates expressed in the forward-looking statements because of many factors not anticipated by management, including risk factors described in the Company's Form 10K for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2011.

SOURCE Air Products