SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a -16 or 15d -16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Report on Form 6-K for the month of September 2004
The BOC Group plc
Chertsey Road, Windlesham,
Surrey GU20 6HJ
England
(Name and address of registrant's principal executive office)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
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Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as
permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):
Yes: |_| No: |X|
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as
permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):
Yes: |_| No: |X|
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes: |_| No: |X|
Enclosures:
1. A notification dated 23 September 2004, advising of the award of an
oxygen supply contract to MIG Production Co. Ltd, a BOC joint venture
company.
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THE BOC GROUP plc ANNOUNCEMENT RELEASED TO A REGULATORY INFORMATION SERVICE
ON 23 SEPTEMBER 2004
AT 07.57 HRS UNDER REF: PRNUK-2309040756-8695
BOC joint venture to supply oxygen to new mono
ethylene glycol plant in Map Ta Phut, Thailand
Windlesham, UK, 23 September 2004 - MIG Production Co. Ltd (MIGP), a joint
venture between Thai Industrial Gases PCL (TIG) and Bangkok Industrial Gas
Company Ltd (BIG) has been awarded a long-term contract to supply 800 tonnes a
day of oxygen to a new mono ethylene glycol project operated by TOC Glycol Co.
Ltd. (TOCGC) in Map Ta Phut, Thailand.
MIGP will invest USD 50 million to build an air separation unit (ASU) on an
adjacent site to the TOCGC new mono ethylene glycol plant. Scheduled to come
on-stream in the second quarter of 2006, the facility will produce 1,300 tonnes
of oxygen a day, making it the largest ASU in Thailand. The excess capacity from
the new facility will serve the parent companies' tonnage and merchant markets.
TOCGC is a subsidiary of Thai Olefins Public Company Limited (TOC). TOC, a
leading producer of ethylene, propylene and petrochemical by-products, recently
expanded its ethylene production and established TOCGC to produce 300,000 tonnes
a year of mono ethylene glycol in Map Ta Phut.
Mono ethylene glycol is a petrochemical used mainly in the manufacture of
polyester textile fibres and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles. Currently
there is no domestic producer of ethylene glycol in Thailand and all ethylene
glycol is imported.
Contact: Christopher Marsay, Director - Investor Relations
Tel: 01276 477222 (International +44 1276 477222)
Notes for editors
Thai Industrial Gases Public Company Limited (TIG)
A subsidiary of The BOC Group, has led the development of the industrial gas
industry in Thailand since its inception in 1970. For over three decades in the
industry, TIG has provided the Thai industry with high quality gases produced to
international standards. With assets exceeding 4.5 billion Baht, the company
annually produces in excess of 170 million cubic metres of air separation gases
- oxygen, nitrogen and argon - for more than 1,000 customers and employs over
700 people throughout Thailand.
Bangkok Industrial Gas (BIG) Co Ltd
A joint venture between Air Products and Thai investors since 1987, is a leading
industrial gas company in Thailand providing atmospheric gases, and process and
specialty gases to many markets, including petrochemical, basic manufacturing
sectors (steel, food freezing, glass and pulp and paper) and electronics etc.
BIG operates three air separation plants of which two are integrated into the
largest pipeline system in Thailand. Well recognised for its commitment to
safety and environment, BIG is the only industrial gas company in Thailand
winning the National Environmental Health and Safety Award in 2004 from the
Ministry of Social Welfare and Labor of Thailand.
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The BOC Group
One of the largest and most global of the world's leading gases companies.
Serving two million customers in more than 50 countries, BOC employs some 46,000
people and has annual sales of over (pound)4 billion in 2003. BOC is organised
into three global lines of business - aligning the organisation directly to its
customers.
Process Gas Solutions (PGS) provides tailored solutions to the process needs of
our largest customers, primarily in industries such as oil refining, chemicals
and steel. The result is the dedicated supply of gases by pipeline, from on-site
production units, or in liquid form by tanker. PGS works globally, wherever the
world's largest companies do business.
Industrial and Special Products (ISP) serves customers who need smaller volumes
of gas, mostly delivered in cylinders. It offers a range of gases, products and
services for cutting and welding metals, and for a host of customers in the
medical, hospitality and scientific markets. ISP also has a significant
liquefied petroleum gas business in certain countries.
BOC Edwards is synonymous with the semiconductor industry, supplying products
and services to one of the world's most challenging industries. The chemical,
metallurgical and scientific instrument markets are increasingly important to
BOC Edwards' general vacuum business.
In addition BOC has two specialised operations:
Gist, a logistics company specialising in a range of supply chain solutions,
which serves a number of major customers including Marks & Spencer.
Afrox hospitals, the largest supplier of private health care in southern Africa.
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant, The BOC Group plc, has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: October 1, 2004
By: /s/ Sarah Larking
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Name: Sarah Larking
Title: Assistant Company Secretary
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