The Linde Group reported earnings results for the first quarter of 2013. For the period, the group's revenue rose by 10.3% to EUR 3.985 billion, compared with EUR 3.614 billion in the first three months of 2012. After adjusting for exchange rate effects, the increase in revenue was 11.8%. Contributing to this positive trend was US homecare company Lincare, acquired by Linde in August 2012. Revenue generated by Lincare in the reporting period was EUR 397 million. Linde was able to continue to reinforce its profitability at a high level and to increase group operating profit by 12.6% to EUR 953 million. As a result, the group operating margin rose to 23.9% against 23.4% a year ago. Profit for the period rose in the first quarter of 2013 by 10.0% to EUR 340 million against EUR 309 million a year ago. After adjusting for non-controlling interests, profit for the period attributable to Linde AG shareholders was EUR 318 million against EUR 282 million a year ago. This gives earnings per share of EUR 1.72 against EUR 1.65 a year ago. On an adjusted basis, i.e. after adjusting for the effects of the purchase price allocation from the BOC acquisition, earnings per share stood at EUR 1.94 against EUR 1.88 a year ago. The company provided earnings guidance for the year 2013 and 2016. The company wants to generate higher group revenue in 2013 than in 2012 and to achieve target for group operating profit for the current year of EUR 4 billion. Linde also believes that it remains on track to achieve its medium-term targets. The group is still seeking to generate group operating profit of at least EUR 5 billion in the 2016 financial year. Return on capital employed (ROCE) should be around 14% in the same year.

Linde Aktiengesellschaft proposed to cancel the authorised capital I pursuant to number 3.6 of the Articles of Association and creation of a new Authorised capital I with the possibility to exclude the subscription right of shareholders and the corresponding amendment of the Articles of Association. The proposal is consider at AGM to be held on May 29, 2013.

Linde Aktiengesellschaft has been awarded a major contract by Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL) to build several plants to generate and purify gases in Jamnagar, India. Part of the Reliance Group, RIL specializes in the energy and petrochemicals industries. Under the new deal, Linde's Engineering Division will supply four large air separation units (ASUs) for the production of gaseous oxygen. RIL needs massive streams of oxygen for its proposed petroleum coke and coal gasification facilities. To treat the synthesis gas generated during this gasification process, Linde will also deliver two RECTISOL(R) acid gas removal units. The company will be supplying the license, process design, detail engineering and procurement services for this project. In addition, Linde will build two additional ASUs to supply high-purity oxygen to RIL's ethylene glycol facilities in Jamnagar.