On November 15, 2024, a major milestone was reached in the African industrial and medical gas sector as Erium—the newly created pan-African group, formed following the complete divestiture of Air Liquide’s assets in West Africa, Central Africa, and Madagascar to Adenia Partner—unveiled its new visual identity. This unveiling marks the dawn of a promising era for industries and communities across the continent, driven by an ambitious vision to provide efficient and sustainable industrial gas solutions.
A New Identity For A Renewed Ambition.
In March 2024, Air Liquide, the multinational company specializing in the production and supply of industrial and medical gases, announced the sale of its operations in twelve African countries to Adenia Partners, a private equity firm focused on investing in responsible and sustainable business growth across Africa. By July 2024, Adenia Partners completed the acquisition, giving birth to Erium, an entity specifically tailored to meet the challenges and opportunities of the African market. This divestiture, leveraging on an annual turnover of approximately 60 million euros, aims to enable both entities to better adapt to local market dynamics and accelerate growth.
“The creation of Erium represents a turning point, allowing us to focus fully on the specific needs of African industries and communities,” said Georges Decrop, Executive Chairman of the Board of Erium. “The support of Adenia Partners gives us the flexibility to be more agile, innovate locally, accelerate investments and offer a continuously improving service to our customers, enabling real impact on the ground.”
ERIUM plans to multiply its investments by 4 to 5 times over the next five years to accelerate its development and strengthen its industrial independence and reliability.
ERIUM’s Vision: a transformed, responsible, and efficient Africa.
With operations in 12 countries across West, Central Africa, and Madagascar, ERIUM aims to be the leading provider of industrial merchant and medical gases on the continent. Its new visual identity reflects Erium’s mission to keep transforming industries, including mining, oil, agro-industrial, healthcare, and infrastructure, by providing efficient and effective industrial gas solutions. Building on a legacy of over 90 years, Erium is committed to the long-term, sustainable development of Africa—not only by offering tailored solutions to its 12,000 clients but also by raising local resources and capabilities through more virtuous industrial applications. From enhancing industrial processes to reducing the carbon footprint by capturing CO2 emissions and converting it into valuable products, Erium is a catalyst for progress throughout a rapidly developing continent eager for its independence.
Values That Drive Every Action
The transformation from Air Liquide to Erium was incepted through a profound re-evaluation of the group’s identity and values. Erium is driven by core values of responsibility, continuous improvement, and exemplary involvement—principles that lead the company to the highest levels of industrial performance while keeping safety, quality and ethics at the forefront of all its operations. Our company is also committed to improving quality of life and supporting optimal patient care by bringing vital medical oxygen to urban hospitals and to healthcare facilities in remote areas. It is this unique combination of being an industrial enabler and dedicated to communities that establishes Erium as a key player in Africa’s sustainable transformation.
Independence and Innovation for the Continent
With financial and strategic backing from Adenia Partners, Erium strengthens its independence while investing in people and solutions aimed at increasing efficiency and sustainability for African industries. Erium combines the strength of a large pan-African group with the agility of a local actor, creating value-added solutions for diverse industries, healthcare systems, and communities. The new visual identity, now adopted by all its entities, serves as a symbol of Erium’s ambition to innovate for more responsible development, creating tangible value for stakeholders throughout the continent.
Erium Ushers In a New Chapter of Growth for Africa
Africa is on the brink of a new industrial era, and Erium is ready to enable this transition. With a strong new visual identity, a positioning centered around “caring solutions,” and a clear ambition to be the leader in sustainable industrial transformation, Erium positions itself as a key player in the industrial gas sector, ready to tackle the complex challenges facing local industries. As Africa continues to grow and transform, Erium promises to be a dedicated partner, committed to the well-being of its people and the progress of its industries. With an identity that inspires trust and transformation, Erium stands prepared to drive the necessary change towards robust, responsible economic development.
“With Erium, we are forging a path toward a more sustainable and responsible industrial landscape in Africa,” added Alexandre Dufour, Erium’s CEO. “Our approach is to work alongside local industries, understand their needs and deliver innovative solutions empowered by industrial gases like Oxygen, Nitrogen or Argon that not only drive economic growth but also enhance our environment and the communities we serve.”
For more information on Erium, our initiatives and how you can support sustainable industrial development in Africa, visit our website: erium.com
