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Alfa Laval to acquire Fives Group’s cryogenics business for €800mn

Alfa Laval has signed a binding put-option agreement to acquire the Fives Cryogenics business unit, part of Fives Group, in a €800 million deal.

Close up of cryogenic liquid nitrogen
Close up of cryogenic liquid nitrogen - Image courtesy of Alfa Laval.

Headquartered in France, Fives Cryogenics specializes in cryogenic heat transfer and pump technologies. The proposed acquisition remains subject to consultation with the relevant works councils, after which the parties expect to enter into a definitive purchase agreement.

Cryogenic technologies are crucial both for traditional gases like LNG and for emerging gas applications like hydrogen and carbon capture. Fives Cryogenics has more than 60 years of experience designing and manufacturing cryogenic heat exchangers and pumps for gas liquefaction. The company holds a strong position in the world market with manufacturing facilities in France, China and Switzerland. Fives Cryogenics employs more than 700 people and in 2024 had revenue of approximately €200 million.

"By adding cryogenic technologies to the Alfa Laval portfolio, we would expand our capabilities to move energy efficiency and the energy transition forward," said Tom Erixon, president and CEO of Alfa Laval. "We believe that Fives Cryogenics would be an excellent addition to Alfa Laval, and we see strong potential in the business and key synergies between Fives Cryogenics' deep technological expertise in cryogenics and Alfa Laval's strong position in the global gas market. We plan to continue to invest in capabilities and growth in the next few years, especially in the key production facility in Golbey, France."

"In the next growth phase, building on the investments realized and committed by the Fives Group, Fives Cryogenics would be well served by belonging to an industrial group with deep knowledge of the technology and a global presence in the future growth areas. With Alfa Laval, Fives Cryogenics would have a strong owner who I know would develop the company and the team further," said Frédéric Sanchez, CEO of the Fives Group.