Airgas Cuts Ribbon for New Air Separation Unit

Airgas celebrated the grand opening of its new air separation unit (ASU) and co-located hydrogen plant in Calvert City Tuesday with a ribbon cutting ceremony and guided tours of the facility. 
 
The new unit produces liquid oxygen, nitrogen and argon, and the liquid hydrogen plant produces liquid hydrogen for a wide range of customer applications. The ASU supplies tonnage oxygen and nitrogen to Westlake Chemical's Calvert City manufacturing plant via pipeline, and also supports the region’s merchant bulk gas market. The new facility enhances the company’s gas supply chain, ensuring long-term reliability of supply for its merchant gas customers.

President and CEO of Westlake Chemical, Albert Chao, joined Airgas and Air Liquide associates, including Michael Graff, Chairman and CEO of American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc. and Chairman of Airgas; Pascal Vinet, CEO of Airgas; Tom Thoman, Senior Vice President of Merchant Gases; state and local dignitaries; and customers to celebrate the new facility.  

Vinet said, “Airgas is proud to partner with Westlake Chemical and join the Calvert City community with this new air separation unit and neighboring liquid hydrogen facility. With these additions, we have greater ability to increase our capacity, allowing us to better serve our customers throughout the region, while simultaneously investing in the local economy and long-term growth opportunities in Calvert City and the surrounding area. We look forward to establishing successful partnerships with the local residents, businesses and civic associations in the area for many years to come.” 
 
The state-of-the-art unit is managed by Airgas’ Merchant Gases division, which oversees Airgas’ network of ASUs, procurement and supplier relationships, and the logistics and distribution of bulk atmospheric and other gases.

According to a press release, after Air Liquide acquired it in May 2016, Airgas is now the leading U.S. supplier of industrial, specialty, and medical gases and provides bulk gas supplies of oxygen, nitrogen and argon through its 29 air separation units nationwide. 


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