Air Liquide, Where Big Data Optimize Operations And Drive Growth

Lucy Chen, Group Manager, Computational & Data Science, Air Liquide R&D Americas

Lucy Chen, Group Manager, Computational & Data Science, Air Liquide R&D Americas

With a focus on accelerating the development and deployment of innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of our customers. At Air Liquide, we are convinced that data is the driving force behind a high-performance industry: an industry that is focused on its customers and on the future. Data is transforming the way we operate, we collaborate and we deliver value to our customers. It also allows us to adapt to market changes faster than ever, and offers the agility to ensure we are no longer reacting to, but rather acting proactively by anticipating new realities.

Our Data Journey

Air Liquide embarked on its Data Journey more than 20 years ago with the launch of telemetry and sensors and the deployment of SCADA systems that collect today several billions of data points from our 80+ plants, thousands of tanks and cylinders or 350+ trailers and railcars. Actually, most of our tanks are covered with telemetry and over 800,000 tons of gasses delivered. Every year, Air Liquide trucks and trailers drive more than 22 million kilometers in Canada to deliver our gasses to our customers.

Today, we are building data lakes and platforms that allow us to leverage big data to improve operations and customer experience, for example, to optimize the management of our industrial assets and enhance reliability, generate efficiencies and improve our operational excellence. We also strengthen customer satisfaction by customizing customer experience and solving customer pain points. In Canada, thanks to big data, we have tripled our quote efficiencies and improved our financials increasing the average order size and reducing the cost of billing adjustments by offering accurate and error-free prices.

Air Liquide’s Data Strategy

At Air Liquide, the data strategy activates three key levers, always with a view towards value creation: People, Technology and Governance.

First People. The successful implementation of our data strategy relies on our ability to empower employees in their daily operations. Air Liquide offers many training programs to upskill its people so they fully embrace this culture.

Technology is the power engine. On top of existing information systems, we are building data platforms that create permanent data flows from all key data sources to any analytics systems, whether BI, Machine Learning or Artificial Intelligence. This enables harmonization of data across geographies and business boundaries.

To make this possible, we established a solid data governance, which defines and directs the organization, roles and processes to improve the accessibility and quality of data while managing security and privacy. Our governance policy ensures the right data is accessible by the right people at the right time

Big Data’s Role in Reducing Carbon Footprint

Data is an asset, and leveraging the power of big data allows us to differentiate and create more customer value, and invent a more sustainable future. Air Liquide commits to reaching -33% carbon emissions by 2035 and carbon neutrality by 2050, aligning the Group with international efforts to reduce global warming.

To achieve this objective, we leverage big data & AI through, e.g. our Smart Innovative Operations program, which is a data-driven approach to optimize production processes and reduce emissions, enabling Air Liquide to reduce its energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, while improving the overall efficiency of its operations.Through our Integrated Bulk Operations program, big data allowed us to optimize our logistics efficiency in Canada and thus reducing our transportation carbon footprint.

Furthermore, big data allowed us to develop renewable energy solutions. We constructed the world's largest low-carbon hydrogen membrane-based production unit in Canada, supplied with renewable energy. By analyzing data on renewable energy sources and production processes, Air Liquide can optimize its investments in these technologies and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.

Opportunities with Big Data

Overall, big data enables Air Liquide to identify opportunities to reduce its carbon footprint, optimize its operations, and develop new solutions that provide customers with personalized experiences. As we continue to invest in big data, there are countless opportunities to unlock new insights and drive further innovation in the industry.