Area Development
Messer, the largest privately-owned industrial gases company, started operation of its new carbon dioxide plant in Keyes, California. The facility will serve existing and new customers in northern California and surrounding geographies via rail network.

The new plant provides up to 450 tons-per-day of CO2, an essential product for carbonated beverages, food freezing and chilling, and electronics manufacturing companies in the area. Messer collaborated with Aemetis, Inc., which recently started supplying raw CO2 feedgas to Messer for processing from its ethanol plant.

"The Keyes plant further enhances our CO2 network reliability for customers," said Jens Luehring, President & CEO, Messer Americas. "Adding the CO2 plant solidifies our position as we continue to grow in the US market, and it is especially important as the CO2 market now faces supply challenges. We're proud of our experienced team of experts who worked through unusual start-up conditions associated with the pandemic to bring this plant on stream."

"Aemetis is pleased to be supplying Messer with CO2 feedgas, especially in this time of critical need," said Eric McAfee, Chairman and CEO of Aemetis, Inc. "It is essential that California's supply of CO2 remain uninterrupted for the many industries that depend on this important product."

Messer, which operates two additional CO2 plants and two air separation units in California, is the largest privately held industrial gas business in the world, and a leading industrial and medical gas company in North and South America. Messer, part of Messer Group, offers over 120 years of expertise in industrial, medical, specialty, and electronic gases and safely delivers quality gases, related services and technology via an extensive production and distribution network.