Nov 22, 2017   SOURCE: BusinessWire

Airgas to Build New Air Separation Unit Production Facility in Mebane, N.C.

Airgas USA, LLC, an Air Liquide company today announced plans to build a new air separation unit (ASU) in Mebane, N.C. The facility will increase Airgas’ production capabilities in North Carolina’s Research Triangle area while also strengthening its East Coast merchant gases network.

The new facility is expected to be on-stream in 2019 and will produce oxygen, nitrogen and argon for use in customer applications such as metal fabrication, blanketing and purging, combustion, chilling and freezing. In addition, the ASU will produce medical grade oxygen to supply to hospitals, nursing homes and research laboratories as well as food and pharmaceutical grade nitrogen.

The ASU will support the region’s bulk gas market and enhance the company’s gas supply chain, to help ensure long-term reliability of supply for its merchant, packaged and on-site gas customers.

Pascal Vinet, Chief Executive Officer of Airgas and Air Liquide Executive Committee Vice President, said: “Airgas continues to expand its gas production and distribution capabilities throughout the U.S. and looks forward to meeting the growing needs of gas customers in the thriving North Carolina market and throughout the region. We look forward to working closely with the Mebane community and the state of North Carolina to bring new opportunities and growth for many years to come."

Roy Cooper, Governor of North Carolina, said: “These good-paying jobs are coming to Alamance County because we have the talent and the resources needed to succeed. New jobs and investment help us make North Carolina a place where people can become happier, healthier and have more money in their pockets.”

About Airgas

Airgas, an Air Liquide company, is the leading U.S. supplier of industrial, medical and specialty gases, as well as hardgoods and related products; one of the largest U.S. suppliers of safety products; and a leading U.S. supplier of ammonia products and process chemicals.

Dedicated to improving the performance of its more than 1 million customers, Airgas safely and reliably provides products, services and expertise through its more than 18,000 associates, over 1,100 locations, robust e-Business platform, and Airgas Total Access telesales channel.

As an Air Liquide company, the world leader in gases, technology and services for Industry and Health, Airgas offers customers an unrivaled global footprint and industry leading technology and innovations.

For more information, please visit www.airgas.com.




The world leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health, Air Liquide is present in 80 countries with approximately 65,000 employees and serves more than 3 million customers and patients. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen are essential small molecules for life, matter and energy. They embody Air Liquide’s scientific territory and have been at the core of the company’s activities since its creation in 1902.

Air Liquide’s ambition is to lead its industry, deliver long term performance and contribute to sustainability. The company’s customer-centric transformation strategy aims at profitable growth over the long term. It relies on operational excellence, selective investments, open innovation and a network organization implemented by the Group worldwide. Through the commitment and inventiveness of its people, Air Liquide leverages energy and environment transition, changes in healthcare and digitization, and delivers greater value to all its stakeholders.

Air Liquide’s revenue amounted to € 18.1 billion in 2016 and its solutions that protect life and the environment represented more than 40% of sales. Air Liquide is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange (compartment A) and belongs to the CAC 40, EURO STOXX 50 and FTSE4Good indexes.