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Integration of BOC proceeding as planned


The integration of The BOC Group, which has been part of The Linde Group since 5 September 2006, has proceeded as planned in the first quarter of 2007. We have successfully completed the sales programme we announced as a result of our acquisition of BOC. We have fulfilled all the antitrust conditions imposed by the competition authorities within the timeframe envisaged, by disposing of BOC operations in Poland and reorganising our joint ventures with Air Liquide in Asia, as well as selling the Linde gases business in the UK. The sale of the Linde gases business in the UK is still awaiting approval from the competition authorities. With the announced disposal of the BOC Edwards components business, the strategic reorganisation of the Group previously announced was finally completed.