Abu Dhabi: Linde AG, the world's second-biggest maker of industrial gases, and a partner will invest $800 million to build two air separation plants in Abu Dhabi.

Elixier, a joint venture between Linde and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Corporation, ADNOC, will build the factories to produce oxygen for natural gas exploration, Munich-based Linde said today in a Hugin newswire statement.

The plants will be ready at the end of 2010.

ADNOC holds 51 percent of Elixier and Linde holds 49 percent, the German company said.