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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Air Liquide Plans St. James Parish, Louisiana, Production Operations

04/24/2026
Industrial and medical gases production company Air Liquide plans to establish operations in St. James Parish, Louisiana.

The $350 million project will include the construction of a new air separation unit at the existing Koch Methanol site which will supply oxygen, nitrogen, and argon for Hyundai-POSCO’s low-carbon steel facility. Production is scheduled to begin in 2028.

“This partnership reflects Air Liquide’s commitment to supporting industrial decarbonization in the U.S.,” said Matthieu Giard, Member of the Group Executive Committee at Air Liquide. “By leveraging our infrastructure and advanced technologies, we are delivering reliable and flexible solutions for next-generation manufacturing.”

To support the project, the company will participate in Louisiana’s Industrial Tax Exemption Program.

“As major projects continue to scale across our state, they are driving demand for suppliers and service providers,” noted Susan B. Bourgeois, Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development (LED). “Air Liquide’s expansion demonstrates how this momentum is creating broader economic opportunity.”

Air Liquide produces and supplies industrial, medical, and specialty gases for sectors including manufacturing, healthcare, energy, and electronics. The company’s operations include gas production, engineering, and technology development, with core products such as oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen.

“Air Liquide’s expansion underscores the region’s role in the global industrial economy,” added Michael Hecht, President and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. “This investment strengthens critical infrastructure and supports long-term growth in advanced manufacturing.”

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