The industrial gases specialist Messer today signed an agreement with Changsha Hi Tech Zone in Southern China’s Hunan province to set up a new 520 ton-per-day liquid air separation unit in the Zone, just beside its existing filling station which will be put into service in the third quarter of the year. The new facility, involving an investment of 33 million euros, will begin to supply oxygen, nitrogen, argon, and other gas products to the industries in the zone as well as the surrounding areas.

As a pioneer in Hunan industrial gases market, Messer has already invested in nine air separation units in the area with a total capacity of over 200 thousand normal cubic meters per hour. This makes Messer become the largest supplier in the market. “The decision to invest in a new production facility in Changsha further demonstrates Messer’s commitment to its growth strategy and development opportunities in Hunan and affirms our leadership stance and ability to meet rising customer needs in the area,” said Dr. Werner Hickel, CEO of Messer China.