APD Air Products and Chemicals Inc

Air Products and Chemicals Inc. (APD) is driving new technologies to bring benefits to air separation. The company initiated its third joint R&D project with the State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering of Tianjin University in China on advanced chemical engineering sciences that will be applied to air separation and hydrocarbon processes accelerating process development for the gases industry.

 Air Products and Tianjin University have signed three joint R&D agreements on advanced chemical engineering sciences since 2005. Under these agreements, Air Products provides funding to the University for R&D projects engaging a number of Ph.D. and master's degree students.

In addition, Air Products also established a scholarship program at Tianjin University for the chemical engineering students.

Air Products was the first global industrial gas company to establish an internal R&D capability in China when it set up its Asia Technology Center in 2005, which is serving key high growth market segments in China and the rest of Asia including performance materials, electronics and general industries.

Air Products is the world’s largest supplier of hydrogen and helium and has a leading position in the gases business. In fiscal 2010, ended December 31, 2010, Air Products recorded earnings per share (EPS) of $1.35, which accelerated from $1.16 in the prior-year quarter. Quarterly revenues rose 10% year over year to $2.4 million on higher volumes across all business segments due to new contract wins.

Air Products raised its fiscal 2011 EPS range to $5.55–$5.70 per share from $5.50–$5.70 per share. The company expects its second-quarter 2011 EPS to be in the range of $1.36–$1.40 per share.

Air Products plans to build, own and operate a new liquid nitrogen production facility in Mooreland, Oklahoma by 2012, which will strengthen its existing leadership position in supplying the region's oilfield services market.

Air Products also has additional Oklahoma operations in Pryor that produce liquid products for other markets including food, chemicals, metal processing, electronics and medical applications.

Air Products faces stiff competition from Praxair Inc. (PX), L'Air Liquide SA and The Linde Group.

Currently, Air Products holds a short-term (1 to 3 months) Zacks #3 Rank (Hold) and a long-term (6+ months) Neutral recommendation.

 
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