LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa.,
Sept. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Air
Products (NYSE: APD) and the Grimsby Institute (North East Lincolnshire, U.K.) are announcing
a collaborative international research program to support the
creation of best practice guidelines for food freezing and
chilling, as well as lead in the development of new advanced
technologies for use by food processors around the world.
The research program will provide a strategic review of the
principles and practices of chilling and freezing food to establish
best practice guidelines. Led from the Grimsby Institute's Food
Refrigeration Process Engineering Research Centre (FRPERC), the
research will be carried out by research fellows Stephen James, Christian
James and Graham Purnell,
backed by 100 years of know-how and expertise now located in
Grimsby. Their activity will be
supported by a group of research students from universities in
Southern China, who will be
completing MSc degrees in productivity and innovation. Air
Products, a leading global supplier of food freezing and chilling
systems, will also be collaborating in the research project,
providing access to the latest hi-tech cryogenic freezing systems,
as well as advising on how to optimize systems during the research
activity.
In addition to considering the potential of cryogenic freezing
technologies, the research project aims to explore the role of
electromagnets in advanced freezing applications. In particular,
the Cells Alive System -- an award-winning electromagnetic freezing
system from Japan -- will be
investigated as part of the research activity.
The Grimsby Institute's Professor Mike
Dillon, who is responsible for helping to bring FRPERC to
Grimsby, commented, "It is great
to see the applied research unit get this agreement so soon after
setting up base in Grimsby. I know
this project will be the first of many to help build our reputation
nationally and internationally as a center of excellence in the
freezing and chilling of seafood."
Jon Trembley, technology manager
for cryogenic applications at Air Products, said, "This is an
exciting research project that will establish guidelines that can
be followed by food processors around the world at the same time as
helping to realize the potential of emerging technologies in the
area of food freezing and chilling.
"Having worked with FRPERC in the past, we are delighted to be
collaborating with them again in Grimsby, and we very much hope that the
involvement of some of China's top
students will help to spread the word about the benefits of
cryogenic technologies in this fast-developing part of the
world."
The research program gets underway in October and, while it is
planned to continue for one year initially, it may continue after
that time, backed by further established links with universities in
Southern China.
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. In fiscal 2010, Air Products had revenues of
$9 billion, operations in over 40
countries, and 18,300 employees around the globe. For more
information, visit www.airproducts.com.
***NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements
within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are
based on management's reasonable expectations and assumptions as of
the date of this release regarding important risk factors. Actual
performance and financial results may differ materially from
projections and estimates expressed in the forward-looking
statements because of many factors not anticipated by management,
including risk factors described in the Company's Form 10K for its
fiscal year ended September 30,
2010.
SOURCE Air Products