Air Products expands membrane manufacturing to meet growing gas market demand

Air Products Membrane Solutions has completed a $70 million expansion of its Missouri Manufacturing and Logistics Center, increasing production capacity to meet rising demand from the biogas, hydrogen, industrial gas and marine sectors.

The investment, the largest ever made by Air Products Membrane Solutions at a single site, expands manufacturing of the company’s hollow-fiber membrane separation technologies used for onsite gas generation, gas purification and process optimization.

According to the company, the expansion was driven by increasing demand for membrane systems used in biogas upgrading and hydrogen recovery, along with nitrogen generation systems for aerospace applications and cleaner marine fuels.

Focus on renewable gas and nitrogen generation

Among the products manufactured at the expanded facility is the PRISM GreenSep membrane separator, which is used to upgrade biogas for bio-LNG production by separating methane from carbon dioxide and other gases. The facility also produces the PRISM N2Sep membrane separator, which generates nitrogen from compressed air for industrial and inerting applications.

For the natural gas industry, membrane separation technology is increasingly being deployed in renewable natural gas (RNG) and bio-LNG projects, where it provides a compact alternative for gas upgrading and purification. Membrane systems are also used in hydrogen recovery, vapor recovery and nitrogen generation for pipeline maintenance, pressure testing and plant inerting.

“This new building significantly increases our production capacity, allowing us to meet growing demand while improving efficiency, flexibility and responsiveness,” said Rob Smegner, plant manager for Air Products Membrane Solutions.

Supporting growing demand

Air Products Membrane Solutions develops, engineers and manufactures hollow-fiber membrane separators and engineered gas separation systems for industrial, energy and marine applications.

The company said the expanded facility positions it to support continued growth in renewable gases, hydrogen and industrial gas markets, while increasing manufacturing flexibility and responsiveness to customer demand.

“Built by great people and designed for even greater possibilities, Air Products Membrane Solutions is ready for this new, exciting chapter in our journey,” said Dr. Erin Sorensen, general manager of Air Products Membrane Solutions.