The world’s second-largest manufacturer of industrial gases has been providing oxygen to help purify the polluted waterway that flows into the Huangpu River downtown.
The company entered the Chinese market when it set up a branch in Shanghai in 1986. Today BOC has about 30 branches in China. In addition to oxygen, its major products sold here include nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
“China has such a huge market, and its dynamic economy is developing quickly,” said Marc Celis, managing director of BOC Gases China. “We’ve already invested about US$140 million in China.”
BOC Gases China generated sales of 500 million yuan (US$60.24 million) in 1998, up more than 15 per cent from a year earlier, said Celis.
Although other foreign competitors also are operating in China – including France’s L’Air Liquide, the No 1 gas producer in the world, and Praxair of the US, BOC said it cornered a major share of the Chinese market.
General Motors, Epson, Hitachi and NEC are among BOC’s clients in China, according to Celis. Celis said the company’s involvement here goes beyond mere production and sales.
“We also help our clients in problem-solving,” said Celis, pointing to the Suzhou Creek project.
In Shanghai, BOC Gases China’s operations are centred in the Pudong development area, where it operates a factory in the Jinqiao Export Processing Zone and management offices in the Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone.
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