MESSER GROUP & CVC take majority stake in LINDE GASES

Messer Group and CVC Fund VII have agreed to acquire the majority of Linde's gases business in North America together with selected activities in South America, forming a joint venture that will operate under the Messer brand. The assets, previously part of Linde AG, employ roughly 5,100 staff and include production plants, storage terminals, and on‑site gas generation units across the United States, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. The agreement is contingent on regulatory clearance and the completion of the Praxair‑Linde merger, with approval required from competition authorities in the relevant jurisdictions. The acquisition enables Messer to re‑establish a direct presence in the American continents, complementing its existing European footprint and providing a platform for cross‑regional synergies. CVC contributes capital resources and a global network that can accelerate integration and growth, while the joint venture, named MG Industries, will combine Messer's engineering and application expertise with the acquired assets' market position. This structure aligns with Messer's strategy to build a globally integrated industrial gases provider and supports CVC's objective of creating value in a consolidated sector. Post‑closing, MG Industries will integrate the American operations with Messer's Western European businesses, creating a unified supply chain that spans production, logistics, and customer service. The combined entity is expected to leverage shared procurement, joint research and development, and coordinated sales efforts to broaden product offerings and improve service responsiveness. Anticipated outcomes include expanded market coverage, enhanced operational efficiency, and the ability to deliver comprehensive gas solutions to a diversified industrial client base across multiple continents.