BOC to supply Pilkington

has secured a 15-year, multi-million pound contract with international glass manufacturer

for the continued supply of nitrogen and hydrogen to the company's main UK manufacturing facility at St Helens, Merseyside.

BOC's plant will supply 155 tonnes per day of nitrogen and up to 350 Nm3 per hour of hydrogen via pipeline to Pilkington's furnaces which produce float glass products for the building and automotive industries.

Founded in 1826, Pilkington is UK-based, with manufacturing operations in 24 countries on five continents. It operates 25 float plants worldwide, with interests in a further nine.

Float glass is made by melting glass and feeding a thin layer onto a tank of molten tin in a nitrogen and hydrogen (five to 10 per cent) atmosphere. The glass flattens out forming a smooth glossy surface on both sides with an even thickness, allowing for the economic production of smooth clear glass.