Air Products to Build New Production Facility for Industry-Leading PRISM(R) Membrane Products
October 29 2008 - 11:10AM
PR Newswire (US)
LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Air Products
(NYSE:APD), the worldwide leader in production of gas separation
and purification membranes, today announced plans to construct a
new production facility in St. Charles, Missouri to increase
manufacturing capacity of its full line of PRISM(R) membrane
products. The new facility will increase Air Products' membrane
output by over 50 percent. It will provide for state-of-the-art
hollow fiber production and module assembly technology across the
full range of multiple PRISM membrane offerings. The new plant is
to be on-stream in early 2010. "This new facility will ensure our
ability to meet the strong demand for high performance membranes.
Membrane technology is being used increasingly in new and growing
applications, and we will be positioned to meet that need with
facilities capable of producing multiple size membrane product
offerings," said George Lewis, global business manager, Equipment
Sales at Air Products. Air Products will continue to operate its
current PRISM(R) membrane production plant in St. Louis, which
opened in 1984 and was expanded several times, most recently in
2007. "Locating near our existing facility will allow us to
leverage our skilled workforce and know-how to bring the facility
into full production more quickly and efficiently. We appreciate
the support of both the City of St. Charles and the Missouri
Department of Economic Development in helping to make this project
a reality," Lewis added. Membrane technology is used to separate
and purify gases. Membrane modules contain thousands of hollow
fibers to provide high processing capacity in a compact unit.
Membranes are often used to produce nitrogen from compressed air;
for hydrogen recovery and purification; for ratio adjustment to
balance a mix of gases; air and gas dehydration to remove water,
which can impact compressed gas performance; and natural gas
treatment for removal of impurities. "The ability for membranes to
separate gases by taking advantage of the differing permeability
and solubility rates in feed gases, and do so in a highly reliable
lightweight system, with few moving parts and to be able to operate
in constrained spaces, makes membrane technology attractive for
many applications," said Lewis. Nitrogen membrane demand is driven
by product needs from the chemical production, food processing,
liquefied natural gas, oil and gas, transportation and mining
industries. Hydrogen membranes are used in chemical, refining, and
biofuels processes. Dehydration membranes are used in compressed
air systems and for high pressure requirements such as for natural
gas dehydration. Air Products' PRISM membranes have been used to
produce gases to inert fuel tanks aboard aircraft, for use in coal
mine methane recovery operations in China, to enrich oxygen for
passengers on the world's longest and highest highland railway, the
Qinghai-Tibet railway, and to produce nitrogen for blanketing
chemical, methanol and liquefied gas shipments around the globe.
Air Products' PRISM line of gas generation systems supplied
generated nitrogen and oxygen to more than 1,500 customers in over
30 countries worldwide. More information on PRISM membrane systems
can be found at: http://www.airproducts.com/membranes. Air Products
(NYSE:APD) serves customers in industrial, energy, technology and
healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of atmospheric
gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and
equipment and services. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built
leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor
materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas
liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. The company is
recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and
commitment to safety and the environment. Air Products has annual
revenues of $10 billion, operations in over 40 countries, and
22,000 employees around the globe. For more information, visit
http://www.airproducts.com/. ***NOTE: This release may contain
forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially,
due to changes in current expectations. DATASOURCE: Air Products
CONTACT: Media, Art George, +1-610-481-1340, , or Investor
Inquiries, Nelson Squires, +1-610-481-7461, , both of Air Products
Web site: http://www.airproducts.com/membranes
http://www.airproducts.com/
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