Airgas, Inc. : Airgas to Build New Air Separation Plant in Chicago Metropolitan Area; Cites 'Increased Demand' and Core Business Growth in the Midwest
09/20/2012| 04:10pm US/Eastern
Recommend:
Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG) today announced plans to build a new air
separation unit (ASU) in the Chicago area in order to meet increasing
demand for merchant gases in the region. The ASU, which will produce
oxygen, nitrogen, and argon, is expected to begin production in the fall
of 2014.
"The market for atmospheric gases is very strong in the Midwest and we
fully expect it to continue," said Michael Molinini, Airgas President
and Chief Executive Officer. "Because of increased demand, now is the
right time to add to our production capabilities in order to meet the
merchant gas needs of customers in the Midwest."
As the nation's largest supplier of industrial, specialty, and medical
gases, Airgas currently provides bulk gas supply of oxygen, nitrogen,
and argon through its 16 air separation units nationwide, making Airgas
the fifth largest producer of atmospheric gases in North America. The
proposed Airgas plant in the Chicago area will produce more than 400
tons per day of oxygen, nitrogen, and argon.
"We will operate the new plant within our Airgas Merchant Gases business
unit, which has the proven expertise to run the production plant," said
Tom Thoman, Airgas Division President - Gases. "Airgas Merchant Gases
has an excellent track record managing our network of air separation
plants, our procurement and supplier relationships, and the logistics
and distribution of atmospheric gases."
According to Thoman, Airgas Merchant Gases recently commissioned Airgas'
newest ASU in Clarksville, Tennessee, which began producing atmospheric
gases in May of this year.
In addition to gases, Airgas is a leading supplier of a wide range of
hardgoods, including welding equipment and related products, safety
products, and tools and supplies for construction and maintenance,
repair, and operations (MRO).
About Airgas, Inc.
Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG), through its subsidiaries, is one of the
nation's leading suppliers of industrial, medical and specialty gases,
and hardgoods, such as welding equipment and related products. Airgas is
a leading U.S. producer of atmospheric gases with 16 air separation
plants, a leading producer of carbon dioxide, dry ice, and nitrous
oxide, one of the largest U.S. suppliers of safety products, and a
leading U.S. supplier of refrigerants, ammonia products, and process
chemicals. More than 15,000 employees work in approximately 1,100
locations, including branches, retail stores, gas fill plants, specialty
gas labs, production facilities and distribution centers. Airgas also
markets its products and services through eBusiness, catalog and
telesales channels. Its national scale and strong local presence offer a
competitive edge to its diversified customer base. For more information,
please visit www.airgas.com.
Airgas, Inc.
Media Contact:
Doug
Sherman, 610-902-6270
doug.sherman@airgas.com
or
Investor
Contact:
Barry Strzelec, 610-902-6256
barry.strzelec@airgas.com
© Business Wire 2012
Recommend :
