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Kurt Lefevere, President of Air Products Asia, has been appointed as the new President of the Asia Industrial Gases Association (AIGA), succeeding Helder Texeira. The new board, which will serve until 2027, also includes Ronnie Chalmers (Air Liquide) as Vice President, Binod Patwar (Linde) as Treasurer, and Texeira as Secretary.

The Asia-Pacific region is the largest industrial gases market, accounting for over 40% of global demand, primarily driven by sectors such as electronics, steel, and chemicals in China and India, as well as investments in hydrogen and carbon management in Japan, South Korea, and Australia. The region is also experiencing growing demand for healthcare and medical oxygen, particularly in Southeast Asia. The importance of market intelligence was emphasized during the recent APAC IG 2025 event in Bangkok, Thailand.