BOC steps on the gas

A strong financial showing in the first half of the year ensured that the UK's global gas giant BOC will be in good shape when it is taken over by German rival Linde.

The £8.2bn deal is currently underway and is due to be completed by the summer.

BOC's interim profits rose by eight per cent, a result of good performances across its major divisions. In particular, its general gas business Process Gas Solutions benefited from higher prices, especially in

, to secure a growth in profit of 11 per cent.

And despite its overall growth being tempered by its

performance, the Industrial and Special Products (ISP) business performed well in north America,

and the south Pacific region.

Buoyed by the solid financial performance and further contract wins worth £70m to supply oxygen and carbon dioxide to a major shipbuilding complex near Shanghai, the company said it was making good progress.