BOC HELPS OPTICAL FIBER MANUFACTURERS REDUCE HELIUM CONSUMPTION

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BOC HELPS OPTICAL FIBER MANUFACTURERS REDUCE HELIUM CONSUMPTION
17 September 2006 - BOC Gases

BOC’s new helium conservation system can help single-mode fiber producers improve operational efficiency by reducing the amount of helium used in the fiber draw process, without affecting fiber quality or throughput. The system is an alternative for fiber manufacturers who do not use enough helium to warrant a full helium recovery and recycle system.

“Fiber producers now have a choice for reducing their manufacturing costs. Helium is the largest consumable gas used to make optical fiber. Reducing helium consumption and expenditures improves manufacturing efficiency and saves manufacturers on the cost of this non-renewable resource,” said Glenn Rush, vice president of BOC's fiber optics solutions team.

BOC has just contracted with one of the world’s largest fiber manufacturers to place a helium conservation system in the fiber draw operations of their largest and most modern plant. That system is expected to help the manufacturer reduce helium consumption by over 80 percent.

“An average producer can reduce their helium usage by 40 to 80 percent, meaning producers can expect a complete payback on the system within one to two years,” said Rush.

Manufacturers can either purchase or lease the conservation system, which can immediately reduce their cost to make fiber. BOC also offers manufacturers the option to upgrade to a full recovery and recycle system when the plant’s economics make that option more attractive.

“We also offer customers a comprehensive helium management package, from supply to conservation, recovery and recycle. This ensures customers get high quality helium from BOC’s unmatched global sourcing and logistics network as well as solid system performance,” Rush said.

The BOC fiber optic solutions group uses its extensive knowledge, skills and experience to meet the complex requirements and challenges of optical fiber manufacturers. Since the late 1970s, BOC has been supplying high-purity gases, chemicals, equipment, services and technologies to the optical fiber manufacturing community to help improve product quality and lower ownership costs. Visit BOC at booth number 3149 during the National Fiber Optics Expo and Conference/Optical Fiber Conference March 8-10 at Anaheim, California, Convention Center.

http://www.boc.com

About: BOC Gases
Through its PGS line of business, BOC supplies gas and related solutions to the chemicals, petroleum, glass, water services, electronic packaging, fibre optics, hydrogen energy, metals and food industries. BOC helps meet customer needs in a variety of ways, from the supply of a single gas or application through to designing, constructing and operating fully integrated gas and utilities schemes.

The BOC Group, which serves two million customers in more than 50 countries, is one of the largest and most global of the world's leading gases companies. It employs some 44,500 people worldwide and had annual sales of over £4.3 billion in 2003. Further information about The BOC Group may be obtained on the Internet at www.boc.com

The BOC Group has an international portfolio of companies grouped for management control and reporting into three lines of business: Process Gas Solutions, Industrial and Special Products, and BOC Edwards. It also has a specialist logistics business, Gist.

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