Air Liquide: Third quarter 2021:

Regulatory News:

Air Liquide (Paris:AI):

(a) Change excluding the currency, energy (natural gas and electricity) and significant scope impacts, see reconciliation in appendix.

Commenting on 3^rd quarter sales for 2021, Benoît Potier, Chairman and CEO of Air Liquide, stated:

“The third quarter confirms the continued sales growth observed in the first half-year. All activities are increasing: Gas & Services in all regions of the world, Engineering & Construction and Global Markets & Technologies, in a more favorable market environment.

Revenue in the third quarter amounted to 5.8 billion euros, i.e. +17.2% as published and +7.1% in comparable terms. This good performance illustrates Group’s strong positioning on its markets and the robustness of its business model, in the context of a strong surge in energy prices.

Within Gas & Services, which accounts for 96% of sales, activity is particularly supported by the momentum of the Electronics industry, the continued recovery of the Industrial Merchant business and the robustness of Healthcare activities. Mobilization of teams continued this quarter in fighting the pandemic in several regions of the world, particularly in the supply of medical oxygen. Geographically, activity levels are particularly strong in the Americas and Europe, and more contrasted in Asia.

The Group continues its momentum of improving its operating margin, driven by operational efficiencies of 314 million euros over the first nine months, in line with the annual target of more than 400 million euros, and active price management taking into account the inflationary context. Cash flow remains high above 23% of sales excluding energy impact.

12-month investment opportunities are increasing, now reaching 3.3 billion euros, with more than 40% related to the energy transition. In this context, the Group approved investments of nearly 900 million euros this quarter, notably in Large Industries and Electronics. One third of industrial investment decisions will contribute to the energy transition. The robust and diversified investment backlog, currently running at 3.1 billion euros, is particularly promising for future growth.

True to its growth model combining financial performance and societal performance, Air Liquide has multiple initiatives this quarter to promote hydrogen as a key solution to fight global warming.

In 2021, Air Liquide is confident in its ability to further increase its operating margin and to deliver recurring net profit¹ growth at constant exchange rates.”

¹Excluding exceptional and significant items that have no impact on the operating income recurring. Excluding the impact of a possible US tax reform in 2021.

Highlights of the 3^rd quarter 2021

• Hydrogen and the energy transition:
  • Many partnerships to develop hydrogen and decarbonize industry:
    • Launch of the world’s largest clean hydrogen infrastructure fund on October 1 with TotalEnergies, VINCI and several international companies.
    • Memorandum of Understanding with Borealis, Esso S.A.F., TotalEnergies and Yara International ASA to develop an infrastructure for CO₂ capture and storage that will contribute to the decarbonization of the Normandy industrial basin.
    • Cooperation project with TotalEnergies to decarbonize hydrogen production on the TotalEnergies platform in Normandy.
    • Partnership with Airbus and VINCI Airports to develop the use of hydrogen and accelerate decarbonization in the aviation sector.
    • Construction project in Germany of an industrial-size renewable hydrogen production unit that will be linked to the existing local Air Liquide pipeline infrastructure.
    • Project to invest in a large-scale hydrogen and carbon monoxide production unit that includes CO₂ recycling.
  • Signing of a long-term renewable electricity purchase contract in Belgium to reduce the carbon footprint of our production plants.
  • Increased support to the Energy Observer, becoming a main partner for four years, of this laboratory vessel that demonstrates the key role of hydrogen in the energy transition.
  • Equipment and services provided to the world’s largest hydrogen station in Beijing, China.
  • Long-term contract with Shagang in China for the construction and operation of a low-carbon air separation unit.
• Healthcare:
  • Continued mobilization of teams in the fight against the pandemic, worldwide.
• Corporate:
  • Successful launch of a long-term bond issue for a total of 500 million euros.

Group revenue for the 3^rd quarter of 2021 totaled 5,834 million euros. The momentum in the first half-year continued this quarter, with sales up +7.1% on a comparable basis with the 3^rd quarter of 2020 and about +6% compared to the 3^rd quarter of 2019¹. Consolidated sales of Engineering & Construction grew +35.1% relative to lower activity level due to the pandemic-induced slowdown in 2020. Global Markets & Technologies continued double-digit growth: sales increased +15.9% in the 3^rd quarter, buoyed by the strength of the biogas market and equipment sales for hydrogen mobility. The impact of energy this quarter was particularly strong at +8.9%, on top of positive currency (+0.5%) and significant scope (+0.7%) impacts. All in all, the Group reported a very robust +17.2% growth in as published revenue.

3^rd quarter 2021 revenue for Gas & Services rose by +6.5% to 5,585 million euros, confirming the upward trend recorded in the first half-year, despite a less favorable basis of comparison. As published revenue for Gas & Services was up +16.9% in the 3^rd quarter, benefiting from a strong energy effect (+9.3%) and positive currency (+0.4%) and significant scope (+0.7%) impacts.

• Gas & Services revenue in the Americas totaled 2,144 million euros in the 3^rd quarter, an increase of +8.2%. Large Industries sales rose +7.4% driven by high demand and the ramp-up of new units. The Industrial Merchant business continued to recover, with a +7.5% increase in revenue. Electronics sales gained +6.6% in a thriving market. Lastly, Healthcare grew +14.5% and remains heavily involved in the fight against Covid-19.
• In the 3^rd quarter, revenue in Europe rose by +5.8% to 2,038 million euros. Large Industries sales (+7.6%) expanded on strong demand in the Steel and Chemicals sectors and on increasing volumes in Refining. Up +7.2%, the Industrial Merchant business pursued its pick-up in sales across all markets and countries. Healthcare revenue increased +2.6%, despite exceptional high sales of ventilators in the 3^rd quarter of 2020 to meet pandemic needs. It benefited from sustained sales of medical oxygen to hospitals and strong demand in Home Healthcare.
• Revenue in Asia-Pacific rose +4.1% in the 3^rd quarter to 1,197 million euros. Large Industries revenue declined (-5.5%) due to the impact of China’s Dual Energy Control and customer maintenance turnarounds. The upward trend in the Industrial Merchant business continued with a +8.3% increase in sales, fueled by strong activity in China and the recovery in the rest of Asia. Electronics sales were up +10.8% in a very dynamic market with double-digit growth in sales of Carrier gases and high revenue generated by Equipment & Installations.
• Revenue in the Middle-East and Africa rose +10.4% to 206 million euros in the 3^rd quarter. The sales of hydrogen in Saudi Arabia continued to recover, driven by the customer demand in the Yanbu basin. The surge in air gas volumes was very substantial as the 16 Sasol air separation units made their first contribution (an acquisition finalized in June). These sales were recognized as part of the significant scope effect, hence excluded from the comparable growth. In the Industrial Merchant business, sales continued to rise and are above the levels of the 3^rd quarter of 2019. The Healthcare business stayed very buoyant supplying very large volumes of medical oxygen in pandemic-hit countries.

² See remark in the text box page 4.

Large Industries sales rose +3.4%, despite the measures imposed in China to limit energy consumption at some customer plants. The Industrial Merchant business recovered further, with sales increasing +7.5% as gas sales were above 2019 levels and pricing impact accelerated significantly. Healthcare also recorded a strong performance: sales rose by +6.2%, despite a very high basis of comparison in 2020. Electronics posted strong sales growth of +10.4% in a very dynamic market.

Consolidated revenue from Engineering & Construction gained +35.1% to 81 million euros in the 3^rd quarter.

Global Markets & Technologies posted a +15.9% increase in sales to 168 million euros in the 3^rd quarter. Biogas retained strong momentum with new units ramping up and significant price impacts related to energy price increase. Revenue also includes hydrogen refueling station sales for mobility in Asia.

Efficiencies amounted to 314 million euros over the first nine months of the year, a slight increase of +0.9% compared with 2020, in line with the annual objective fixed at more than 400 million euros.

Cash flow from operating activities before changes in net working capital amounted to 3,701 million euros at the end of September 2021, an increase of +1.4% and of +4.6% excluding currency impact. This corresponds to a high level of 22.2% of sales and of 23.4% excluding energy impact. When including changes in working capital, the net cash flows from operating activities increased by +5.1% and +7.9% excluding currency impact.

Industrial investment decisions reached 866 million euros in the 3^rd quarter, totaling more than 2.2 billion euros since the beginning of the year. Development momentum remained strong within Large Industries, particularly with the project to invest in a large-scale hydrogen and carbon monoxide production unit with integrated CO₂ recycling. Momentum was also strong for investment decisions within the Electronics business with Carrier gases contracts signed in the United States and in China.

The 12-month portfolio of investment opportunities increased by more than 200 million euros to reach the very high total of 3.3 billion euros during the 3^rd quarter.

The additional contribution to revenue of unit start-ups and ramp-ups remained high at 100 million euros during the 3^rd quarter of 2021, including the acquisition of 16 air separation units from Sasol in South Africa. Thus, at the end of September, this figure amounted to 230 million euros, in line with the estimated contribution of 320 million euros for 2021.

Analysis of 3^rd quarter 2021 revenue

Unless otherwise stated, all variations in revenue outlined below are on a comparable basis, excluding currency, energy (natural gas and electricity) and significant scope impacts.

Due to the exceptional impact of the pandemic in the 3^rd quarter of 2020, a comparison with 2019 3^rd quarter sales has been introduced for context in reviewing 3^rd quarter 2021 performance. The comparisons between 2021 and 2019 are calculated by adding 2020 and 2021 comparable effects. They are given as a reference point and do not constitute an alternative performance measure. The comparable growths mentioned below are calculated compared to the same period of 2020 except when 2019 is mentioned.

REVENUE

Group

Group revenue for the 3^rd quarter of 2021 totaled 5,834 million euros. The momentum in the first half-year continued this quarter, with sales up +7.1% on a comparable basis with the 3^rd quarter of 2020 and about +6% compared to the 3^rd quarter of 2019. Consolidated sales of Engineering & Construction grew +35.1% relative to lower activity level due to the pandemic-induced slowdown in 2020. Global Markets & Technologies continued double-digit growth: sales increased +15.9% in the 3^rd quarter, buoyed by the strength of the biogas market and equipment sales for hydrogen mobility. The impact of energy this quarter was particularly strong at +8.9%, on top of positive currency (+0.5%) and significant scope (+0.7%) impacts. All in all, the Group reported a very robust +17.2% growth in as published revenue.

Gas & Services

3^rd quarter 2021 revenue for Gas & Services rose by +6.5% to 5,585 million euros, confirming the upward trend recorded in the first half-year, despite a less favorable basis of comparison. Large Industries sales rose +3.4%, despite the measures imposed in China to limit energy consumption at some customer plants. The Industrial Merchant business recovered further, with sales increasing +7.5% as gas sales were above 2019 levels and pricing impact accelerated significantly. Healthcare also recorded a strong performance: sales rose by +6.2%, despite a very high basis of comparison in 2020. Electronics posted strong sales growth of +10.4% in a very dynamic market. As published revenue for Gas & Services was up +16.9% in the 3^rd quarter, benefiting from a strong energy effect (+9.3%) and positive currency (+0.4%) and significant scope (+0.7%) impacts.

Americas

Gas & Services revenue in the Americas totaled 2,144 million euros in the 3^rd quarter, an increase of +8.2%. Large Industries sales rose +7.4% driven by high demand and the ramp-up of new units. The Industrial Merchant business continued to recover, with a +7.5% increase in revenue. Electronics sales gained +6.6% in a thriving market. Lastly, Healthcare grew +14.5% and remains heavily involved in the fight against Covid-19.

• Revenue for Large Industries rose +7.4% during the 3^rd quarter on strong demand in the Steel, Chemicals and Refining markets, as well as the contribution of start-ups and ramp-ups in the United States, Canada and Latin America. Hurricane Ida had only a limited impact.
• The Industrial Merchant business continued to recover. Sales grew +7.5% in the 3^rd quarter. In the United States, gas sales were solid, even with supply chain pressures, since it was critically important to supply hospitals with oxygen in those states affected by the pandemic. Sales of Hardgoods increased, but remained under their level in the 3^rd quarter 2019. Sales were up in practically all end markets, but the non-residential Construction market in the United States remained low. Price effects increased markedly on a sequential basis, from +3.2% in the 2^nd quarter to +5.0% in the 3^rd quarter.
• Healthcare revenue rose +14.5% in the 3^rd quarter on a combination of fast-growing sales of medical oxygen to cope with Covid-19 needs and the gradual pick-up in the Home Healthcare and the hospital business. In the United States, medical oxygen volumes were high, especially in the states hardest hit by the pandemic this quarter, and business was also strong in proximity care. Sales increased sharply in Latin America, in both Hospital care and Home Healthcare, notably oxygen therapy in Brazil and Argentina, and for the treatment of sleep apnea in Brazil.
• Electronics sales rose +6.6%, fueled by a steep increase in Carrier gases volumes benefiting from a new unit ramp-up. Equipment and Installation sales were lower than the high level recorded in the 3^rd quarter of 2020.

Europe

In the 3^rd quarter, revenue in Europe rose by +5.8% to 2,038 million euros. Large Industries sales (+7.6%) expanded on strong demand in the Steel and Chemicals sectors and on increasing volumes in Refining. Up +7.2%, the Industrial Merchant business pursued its pick-up in sales across all markets and countries. Healthcare revenue increased +2.6%, despite exceptional high sales of ventilators in the 3^rd quarter of 2020 to meet pandemic needs. It benefited from sustained sales of medical oxygen to hospitals and strong demand in Home Healthcare.

• Large Industries sales rose +7.6% benefiting from strong demand in the Steel and Chemicals industries. Hydrogen volumes for Refining were up as activity increased and the new unit in Kazakhstan ramped up. A start-up of a new unit in Russia also boosted air gases.
• Industrial Merchant revenue rose +7.2%, lifted by a dynamic recovery in activity. Sales of liquid gases enjoyed strong growth in all countries, especially in Italy, Germany and Iberian Peninsula. Cylinder gas sales, which had proved more resilient to the pandemic, were also up in all countries. The recovery was even more pronounced in Eastern Europe, particularly in Poland, Russia and Turkey, with liquid gas sales growing more than +25% (excluding the divestiture of activities in Greece). All major markets are trending upward, primarily Metal Fabrication, Materials and Energy. Pricing impact improved steadily sequentially and stood at +2.2% in the 3^rd quarter.
• Healthcare posted sales growth of +2.6% on a very high basis of comparison in the 3^rd quarter of 2020 (which included exceptional ventilator sales related to the pandemic). Growth in sales of medical oxygen was sustained throughout the region especially in Russia, which was hit hard by the Covid-19 and where 4 additional air separation units were certified for the supply of medical oxygen to hospitals. Activity remained robust in the Home Healthcare business, notably for the treatment of diabetes. Sales of Specialty Ingredients were particularly buoyant in the 3^rd quarter, especially for the cosmetic and vaccine adjuvant markets.

Asia-Pacific

Revenue in Asia-Pacific rose +4.1% in the 3^rd quarter to 1,197 million euros. Large Industries revenue declined (-5.5%) due to the impact of China’s Dual Energy Control and customer maintenance turnarounds. The upward trend in the Industrial Merchant business continued with a +8.3% increase in sales, fueled by strong activity in China and the recovery in the rest of Asia. Electronics sales were up +10.8% in a very dynamic market with double-digit growth in sales of Carrier gases and high revenue generated by Equipment & Installations.

• Large Industries sales fell -5.5% in the 3^rd quarter, impacted by customer maintenance turnarounds in China and Singapore, and measures imposed in China to limit energy consumption. Indeed, 5 customers were forced to stop production, and 3 of these were back to full capacity by mid-October. The strong demand from Steel customers in Japan partially offset these impacts.
• Industrial Merchant sales grew +8.3% over the quarter, driven by strong activity in China and the recovery across the rest of Asia. In China, the sales increase was supported by small on-site gas production units and cylinder gas. In the rest of Asia, revenue was close to 2019 level. High-growth markets are mainly Metal Fabrication, Materials, Energy and Technology. Pricing impacts were +0.3% and +0.8% excluding the adverse effect of helium.
• Electronics revenue increased +10.8%. Sales of Carrier gases benefited from a dynamic market, the ramp-up of existing units and start-up of two new plants in China and in Singapore. Equipment and Installation sales were very strong.

Middle East and Africa

Revenue in the Middle-East and Africa rose +10.4% to 206 million euros in the 3^rd quarter. The sales of hydrogen in Saudi Arabia continue to recover, driven by the customer demand in the Yanbu basin. The surge in air gas volumes was very substantial as the 16 Sasol air separation units made their first contribution (an acquisition finalized in June). These sales were recognized as part of the significant scope effect, hence excluded from the comparable growth. In the Industrial Merchant business, sales continued to rise and are above the levels of the 3^rd quarter of 2019. The Healthcare business stayed very buoyant supplying very large volumes of medical oxygen in pandemic-hit countries.

Engineering & Construction

Consolidated revenue from Engineering & Construction gained +35.1% to 81 million euros in the 3^rd quarter.

Order intake totaled 300 million euros holding to the positive trend seen in the first half-year. The bulk of the projects are in Asia with several oxygen production plants, as well as Electronics or hydrogen production projects. Group orders accounted for about two-thirds of the total.

Global Markets & Technologies

Global Markets & Technologies posted a +15.9% increase in sales to 168 million euros in the 3^rd quarter. Biogas retained strong momentum with new units ramping up and significant price impacts related to energy price increase. Revenue also includes hydrogen refueling station sales for mobility in Asia.

Order intake for Group projects and third-party customers totaled 185 million euros, up +80% compared with 2020. These are mainly new Turbo-Brayton LNG reliquefaction projects and hydrogen refueling stations.

INVESTMENT CYCLE

INVESTMENT DECISIONS AND INVESTMENT BACKLOG

Industrial and financial investment decisions reached the high level of 873 million euros in the 3^rd quarter of 2021. They account for 2.8 billion euros year to date including the acquisition of Sasol’s 16 Air Separation Units in South Africa, compared to 2.1 billion at the end of September 2020.

Industrial investment decisions reached 866 million euros in the 3^rd quarter, totaling more than 2.2 billion euros since the beginning of the year. Development momentum remained strong within Large Industries, particularly with the project to invest in a large-scale hydrogen and carbon monoxide production unit with integrated CO₂ recycling. Momentum was also strong for investment decisions within the Electronics business with Carrier gases contracts signed in the United States and in China.

Financial investment decisions totaled 7 million euros for the quarter, corresponding mainly to three small acquisitions in the Industrial Merchant business in China.

The investment backlog remained high at 3.1 billion euros, evenly distributed across various business sectors and geographies. The Chemicals market represented around one third of the investment backlog, the Electronics market around one quarter, and the Steel market just over 15%. Investment backlog in the Oil & Gas market remained limited at 6% of the total. The future contribution to annual revenue after full ramp-up of the units is expected to be 1.1 billion euros.

START-UPS

In Large Industries, two large-scale air separation units were commissioned during the 3^rd quarter of 2021 in Russia and the United States. Moreover, from the 3^rd quarter, the Electronics business supplied all the Carrier gases to a customer site in China and to a Semiconductor megafab in Singapore.

The additional contribution to revenue of unit start-ups and ramp-ups remained high at 100 million euros during the 3^rd quarter of 2021, including the acquisition of 16 air separation units from Sasol in South Africa. Thus, at the end of September, this figure amounted to 230 million euros, in line with the estimated contribution of 320 million euros for 2021.

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The 12-month portfolio of investment opportunities increased by more than 200 million euros to reach the very high total of 3.3 billion euros during the 3^rd quarter.

Energy transition projects represented 42% of the portfolio of opportunities. These notably included projects for hydrogen production by electrolysis, hydrogen liquefaction and carbon capture and storage (“CCS”). The share from the Electronics business also remained high.

Europe accounted for more than one third of opportunities, owing to the numerous projects linked to the energy transition, followed by Asia with opportunities in Electronics. Then came the Americas, which had opportunities in Electronics and Large Industries, followed by the Middle-East & Africa.

Operating Performance

Efficiencies amounted to 314 million euros over the first nine months of the year, a slight increase of +0.9% compared with 2020, in line with the annual objective fixed at more than 400 million euros. These efficiencies represent cost savings of 2.9%, to be compared with 2.6% in 2020. Industrial efficiencies accounted for a little more than 50% of total efficiencies and were, in particular, the result of supply chain optimization projects in the Industrial Merchant and Healthcare business lines, and of energy efficiency improvements and maintenance operation optimizations in Large Industries. The implementation of digital tools aimed at the Group’s transformation continued, with, in particular, the acceleration of the roll-out of remote operation centers for Large Industries production units (Smart Innovative Operations, SIO) and new optimization tools for delivery routes in Industrial Merchant (Integrated Bulk Operations, IBO). The shared service centers are developing and efficiencies related to procurement are being pursued.

Cash flow from operating activities before changes in net working capital amounted to 3,701 million euros at the end of September 2021, an increase of +1.4% and of +4.6% excluding currency impact. This corresponds to a high level of 22.2% of sales and of 23.4% excluding energy impact. When including changes in working capital, the net cash flows from operating activities increased by +5.1% and +7.9% excluding currency impact.

At the end of September 2021, gross industrial capital expenditure amounted to 2,180 million euros, an increase of +12.8% compared with 2020. They represented 13.1% of sales.

Portfolio management was very active during the first 9 months of the year, particularly with the acquisition of 16 air separation units from Sasol in South Africa. The Group also finalized 5 divestitures, including its activities in Greece, and carried out several small acquisitions in the Healthcare and Industrial Merchant business lines in North America, Europe and Asia.

Net debt totaled 11,552 million euros, a strong decrease compared with 12,013 million euros at June 30, 2021, benefiting mainly from high cash flow from operating activities. The net debt-to-equity ratio, adjusted for the seasonal effect of the dividend payment, reached 53.6%, representing a decrease compared with December 31,2020 (55.8%).

Outlook

The third quarter confirms the continued sales growth observed in the first half-year. All activities are increasing: Gas & Services in all regions of the world, Engineering & Construction and Global Markets & Technologies, in a more favorable market environment.

Revenue in the third quarter amounted to 5.8 billion euros, i.e. +17.2% as published and +7.1% in comparable terms. This good performance illustrates Group’s strong positioning on its markets and the robustness of its business model, in the context of a strong surge in energy prices.

Within Gas & Services, which accounts for 96% of sales, activity is particularly supported by the momentum of the Electronics industry, the continued recovery of the Industrial Merchant business and the robustness of Healthcare activities. Mobilization of teams continued this quarter in fighting the pandemic in several regions of the world, particularly in the supply of medical oxygen. Geographically, activity levels are particularly strong in the Americas and Europe, and more contrasted in Asia.

The Group continues its momentum of improving its operating margin, driven by operational efficiencies of 314 million euros over the first nine months, in line with the annual target of more than 400 million euros, and active price management taking into account the inflationary context. Cash flow remains high above 23% of sales excluding energy impact.

12-month investment opportunities are increasing, now reaching 3.3 billion euros, with more than 40% related to the energy transition. In this context, the Group approved investments of nearly 900 million euros this quarter, notably in Large Industries and Electronics. One third of industrial investment decisions will contribute to the energy transition. The robust and diversified investment backlog, currently running at 3.1 billion euros, is particularly promising for future growth.

True to its growth model combining financial performance and societal performance, Air Liquide has multiple initiatives this quarter to promote hydrogen as a key solution to fight global warming.

In 2021, Air Liquide is confident in its ability to further increase its operating margin and to deliver recurring net profit¹ growth at constant exchange rates.

³Excluding exceptional and significant items that have no impact on the operating income recurring. Excluding the impact of a possible US tax reform in 2021

Appendices - Performance indicators

Performance indicators used by the Group that are not directly defined in the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the AMF position 2015-12 about alternative performance measures.

The performance indicators are the following:

• Currency, energy and significant scope impacts
• Comparable sales change
• Efficiencies

Definition of Currency, energy and significant scope impacts

Since industrial and medical gases are rarely exported, the impact of currency fluctuations on activity levels and results is limited to euro translation impacts with respect to the financial statements of subsidiaries located outside the euro zone. The currency effect is calculated based on the aggregates for the period converted at the exchange rate for the previous period.

In addition, the Group passes on variations in the cost of energy (electricity and natural gas) to its customers via indexed invoicing integrated into their medium and long-term contracts. This indexing can lead to significant variations in sales (mainly in the Large Industries Business Line) from one period to another depending on fluctuations in prices on the energy market.

An energy impact is calculated based on the sales of each of the main subsidiaries in Large Industries. Their consolidation allows the determination of the energy impact for the Group as a whole. The foreign exchange rate used is the average annual exchange rate for the year N-1. Thus, at the subsidiary level, the following formula provides the energy impact, calculated for natural gas and electricity respectively:

Energy impact = Share of sales indexed to energy year (N-1) x (Average energy price in year (N) - Average energy price in year (N-1))

This indexation effect of electricity and natural gas does not impact the operating income recurring.

The significant scope effect corresponds to the impact on sales of all acquisitions or disposals of a significant size for the Group. These changes in scope of consolidation are determined:

• for acquisitions during the period, by deducting from the aggregates for the period the contribution of the acquisition,
• for acquisitions during the previous period, by deducting from the aggregates for the period the contribution of the acquisition between January 1 of the current period and the anniversary date of the acquisition,
• for disposals during the period, by deducting from the aggregates for the previous period the contribution of the disposed entity as of the anniversary date of the disposal,
• for disposals during the previous period, by deducting from the aggregates for the previous period the contribution of the disposed entity.

Comparable sales change

Comparable changes for sales excludes the currency, energy and significant scope impacts described above.

For the 3^rd quarter 2021 the calculations are the following:

Efficiencies

Efficiencies represent a sustainable cost reduction resulting from an action plan on a specific project. Efficiencies are identified and managed on a per project basis. Each project is followed by a team composed in alignment with the nature of the project (purchasing, operations, human resources...).

Year to date revenue

By Geography

By Business Line

The slideshow that accompanies this release is available as of 9:00 am (Paris time) at www.airliquide.com.

Throughout the year, follow Air Liquide on Twitter: @AirLiquideGroup.

UPCOMING EVENTS

2021 Full Year results:
February 16, 2022

Capital Markets Day:
March 22, 2022

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