Messer Ibérica awarded the tenth Messer Prize to students on the Chemical Engineering course and the third Messer Prize to students on the same course in Food Bioprocess Engineering at URV, the Higher Technical School of Chemical Engineering (ETSEQ) of the Universitat Rovira i Virgili. The first had to compare the sustainability of the production of aromatic compounds in a refinery and a biorefinery. They proposed a study on the production of synthesis gas from biomass as a substitute for natural gas, focusing on greater sustainability of production and energy and economic independence. This work earned them an invitation to the Messer Group's technology center in Krefeld, Germany. The same trip was made by the winning team from the URV Food Bioprocess Engineering course, who designed a plant for the production of tempeh. The jury, made up of university professors and Messer employees, took into account the overall assessment of the projects, their presentation and the knowledge demonstrated by the members of each group. They also placed particular emphasis on the use of industrial gases in the processes designed in the projects.

As part of its cooperation with the Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Messer in Spain presented the "Work Experience" prize to Eduard Estopañán, a master's student in chemical engineering. The award winner will complete an internship at our company and write his master's thesis on the application of green hydrogen for heat generation. The tuition fees for his master’s degree will be covered by Messer. One aim of this initiative is to discover talent that will enrich our workforce. During the collaboration, the practical benefits then come to the fore: some projects by previously awarded students have already been put into practice at Messer in Spain. This applies, for example, to the pH value control of the cooling water circuit using CO₂ or to a manual addressing the efficiency and design of air evaporators.

In February 2022, we took part in a conference on "Green Chemistry" organized by the Faculty of Chemistry at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona. The Head of Application Technology at Messer in Spain presented our company and our sustainability goals in his talk. He also showed how we are helping to make our clientele's processes more sustainable through the use of gases. An overview of the current situation of green hydrogen and Messer's experience in the green hydrogen value chain were further topics of his speech. In this context he also addressed the path marked out by the Spanish government for the transition to renewable energies by 2030 and referred to the potential of the Catalan Hydrogen Valley. Complementing the presentations the conference offered various activities. These included workshops and film screenings, as well as a photo competition themed "Green Hydrogen - Where Are We?".

The "Career Presentation" project aims to awaken an interest in the diversity of professions for schoolchildren: in this way, parents can also present their profession and the company in which they are employed to schoolchildren. The Head of Application Technology at Messer in Switzerland gave a short talk about Messer, his job as an engineer in the industrial gases sector and his duties as a project manager. Practical demonstrations allowed the children to see how liquid nitrogen is used.

At the 25^th German Conference of Women Physicists, Messer was invited to shed light on the working life of the female workforce at Messer in particular. We presented the diverse fields of application of both gases and our team. It is important for Messer to get women from the natural sciences excited about Messer. The annual conference, at which female physicists from various disciplines and career levels network, has been supported by Messer for several years.

Messer Ibérica once again supported the social activities developed by the Xarxa de Santa Tecla with a donation of 4,400 euros for the purchase of various materials and furniture for a new home. Messer's contribution is a response to the chemical company's long-term commitment to the Xarxa Santa Tecla. Carmen Juárez from the social sector of Xarxa Santa Tecla expressed her personal thanks for Messer Ibérica's contribution, which supports social projects run by the health and social network of Santa Tecla for the benefit of socially vulnerable groups. With a budget of 2.4 million euros, the new residence of the Estela Foundation will provide a total of 24 public places for people over 18 years of age with functional diversity in a facility located in the center of the city of Tarragona.

The project consists of the refurbishment of two floors of a building located in the Rambla Vella of Tarragona, which will be equipped with two completely independent housing units, each with a capacity of 12 people, focusing on individual spaces, comfort and privacy of residents. In addition, each housing unit has its own kitchen, bathroom and toilet. The location of the new dormitory, built according to energy efficiency criteria, allows residents to have better access to the city center of Tarragona, allowing for better interaction and integration into society.

At the end of the year, the Messer team in the Corporate Office packed Christmas parcels to bring a little smile to the faces of as many disadvantaged children in Eastern Europe as possible at Christmas.

The staff and management of Messer Austria have collected 10,000 euros for Nachbar in Not and transferred it to the aid organization. The money will benefit people in need in Ukraine.

Messer in North Macedonia supported the inclusion event organized by the Association Autism AAMK and Collective Veternica - Skopje. The "Let's play together" event took place in the Skopje City Park in a wonderful atmosphere that was enjoyed by all.