Air Liquide acquires majority stake in Norwegian biogas firm
Air Liquide said it is to acquire a majority stake in Skagerak Naturgass, a unit of Skagerak Energi for an undisclosed amount. The deal will allow Air Liquide to enter the Scandinavian biogas market.

France-headed global gases, technologies, and services provider Air Liquide has announced its acquisition of majority equity in Skagerak Naturgass AS, a subsidiary of Skagerak Energi AS, which is majority owned by Statkraft AS, Europe’s largest renewable power generator. Skagerak Naturgass AS operates a distribution network delivering natural gas to industry and 100 percent biomethane to the Norwegian transport sector through four bio-NGV refueling stations installed in the Oslo region.

According to a statement, the new joint venture (JV) allows Air Liquide to pursue its business development in the Scandinavian biogas market, “firmly aligned” with its aim of harnessing renewable technology for clean transport.

Scandinavia constitutes one of Europe’s key markets in the development of sustainable mobility. In Norway, the government has declared targets for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and is committed to phasing out fossil fuel-powered vehicles altogether by 2030.

In 2014, Air Liquide purchased FordonsGas, a Swedish biogas distribution company that owns and operates a network of 50 compressed biogas (CBG) stations providing customers with fuel from one of the world’s largest biogas liquefaction facilities, which chiefly produces CBG for the Swedish transportation market.

In February 2017, Air Liquide expanded its presence in the UK market with the acquisition of ENN Clean Energy UK.