Air Liquide starts up new California plant

New air separation unit operates more efficiently and brings increased industrial gas supply and job growth to region

At a ribbon cutting ceremony held today, Air Liquide Industrial U.S. LP announced the start up of an energy-efficient Air Separation Unit (ASU) at its facility in Rancho Cucamonga, California. The new production unit will enable Air Liquide to increase its supply of industrial gases to customers in the region while minimizing power consumption and overall production costs.

With the expansion of the Rancho Cucamonga plant, Air Liquide will roughly double the size of its workforce there by hiring nearly 30 new employees over the next 14 months to fill positions mostly in production and distribution. Over the last three years, approximately 150 construction jobs were created to build the new ASU.

Michael J. Graff, President and CEO, American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc. and a member of Air Liquide’s Executive Committee, said at the ceremony: “We are pleased to announce the addition of a state-of-the-art ASU to Air Liquide’s facility in Rancho Cucamonga, as it enables us to better serve our customers, to support the growth of the industrial gas market in Southern California, and to create jobs in the region. The new ASU represents Air Liquide’s ability to expand our capacity in a more sustainable way through innovative, cutting-edge technologies.”

Distinguished guests attending the ceremony were State Senate Minority Leader Bob Dutton and Assemblyman Mike Morrell, as well as several local elected officials and leaders from the Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce.

Air Liquide has partnered closely throughout the project with Southern California Edison, the electricity provider supplying Air Liquide’s facility in Rancho Cucamonga, to ensure the new plant is both energy efficient and demand-response ready.

The new ASU produces liquid oxygen and nitrogen for a range of industries, including healthcare, food and beverage, steel, glass, electronics, oil and gas, and chemicals.

Watch a video of Michael J. Graff speaking during the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Note to editors: Photos of the ribbon cutting ceremony are available upon request.