Air Products, a manufacturer of gas separation and purification membranes, will invest more than $27 million to construct a new production facility in St. Charles, Missouri, according to the Missouri governor's office. The company will create 100 new jobs over the next five years as part of the project. "This new facility will ensure our ability to meet the strong demand for high-performance membranes," says George Lewis, global manager of equipment sales for Air Products. "Locating near our existing facility will allow us to leverage our skilled work force and know-how to bring the facility into full production more quickly and efficiently." Company officials plan to open the new facility in the first quarter of 2010. Specific information about financial incentives was not announced, although the governor's office says the company will receive tax credits for job creation.