Air Products and Chemicals

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. provides atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, equipment, and related services in the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, India, and internationally. The company produces atmospheric gases, including oxygen, nitrogen, and argon; process gases, such as hydrogen, helium, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and syngas; specialty gases; and equipment for the production or processing of gases comprising air separation units and non-cryogenic generators for customers in various industries, including refining, chemical, manufacturing, electronics, magnetic resonance imaging, energy production, medical, food, and metals. It also designs and manufactures equipment for air separation, hydrocarbon recovery and purification, natural gas liquefaction, and liquid helium and liquid hydrogen transport and storage. The company was founded in 1940 and is headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

1940 - Air Products and Chemicals is founded by Leonard P. Pool in Detroit, Michigan, to commercialize a process for producing liquid oxygen.

1950 - Air Products and Chemicals moves its headquarters to Allentown, Pennsylvania, where it is still located today.

1962 - Air Products and Chemicals acquires the Cryogenics Division of Union Carbide Corporation, which strengthens the company's position in the production of liquid gases.

1970 - Air Products and Chemicals introduces the first commercial helium liquefaction system, which is used to produce liquid helium for use in nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines.

1980 - Air Products and Chemicals becomes the first company to introduce an electronic specialty gas control system, which provides accurate and reliable control of gas flow and pressure.

1990 - Air Products and Chemicals introduces the PRISM® membrane system, a technology used to separate and purify gases.

2000 - Air Products and Chemicals acquires the European and Asian industrial gases businesses of BOC Group, making it one of the largest suppliers of industrial gases in the world.

2010 - Air Products and Chemicals introduces the Freshline® IQ freezer, a cryogenic freezing system that uses liquid nitrogen to rapidly freeze food products.

2020 - Air Products and Chemicals announces plans to build a new air separation unit in Louisiana to supply industrial gases to customers in the Gulf Coast region.

Our mission is to be the best and most competitive in the world by meeting customer needs, maintaining our commitment to safety, health, and environmental protection, and driving value for our investors.

To serve and delight the world-wide industry, customers, and communities that we touch.