Airgas, an Air Liquide company, plans to build two new air-separation units (ASUs) that increase bulk gas production in the Midwest and Northeast and complement the company’s independent supply network throughout the U.S. One ASU will be located near Minneapolis, Minn., and the other will be located in Fairless Hills, Pa. Each ASU will produce oxygen, nitrogen and argon for use in customer applications such as metal fabrication, combustion enhancement, food chilling and freezing.

The ASU near Minneapolis will enhance the company’s gas production to serve growing needs in the Midwest, ensuring long-term reliability of supply and enabling ongoing efficiencies in support of its merchant, packaged and on-site gas customers. Construction will begin in 2019 with operations expected to be on-stream in 2020. In Fairless Hills, the ASU will increase Airgas’ production capabilities throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, particularly to support major bulk gas markets including Philadelphia and New York City. Construction is under way, and the ASU is slated to be on-stream in early 2020.