Air Liquide plans stake sale in Anios

Air Liquide has announced plans to sell its stake in Laboratoires Anios, a French company that specialises in disinfectant and antiseptic products, in order to refocus the development of its hygiene business on Schülke, a company it wholly owns. Founded in 1898, Laboratoires Anios has a staff of about 450 employees and generated revenues of around Euro 180 million in 2012.
 
In connection with this planned sale, Air Liquide also indicates that it has received a firm offer from a consortium composed of the Letartre family, founder of Laboratoires Anios and currently a minority shareholder, and the investment firm Ardian (formerly AXA Private Equity).
 
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“Air Liquide will respond to this offer at the end of the instruction and consultation process with relevant trade union representatives of personnel affected by the sale. In addition, the transaction will be subject to the approval of the French competition authority,” said the company in a press release.