Air Products and South China University of Technology Collaborate on Water Purification Technology to Drive Green Solutions

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., March 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Air Products (NYSE: APD), a leading global industrial gases and performance materials supplier, today announced it has signed a joint research and development (R&D) agreement with South China University of Technology (SCUT) on water purification technology to accelerate the development of sustainable and efficient water treatment solutions, helping local customers meet increasing energy efficiency and environmental improvement targets.

The collaboration between Air Products and the water research group of the School of Environmental Science and Engineering of SCUT will focus on the development of a flexible and effective bioreactor resulting from the integration of ozone reaction and biological aerated filter (BAF) technologies. The technologies and solutions developed will be applied to various water and wastewater treatment areas including industrial wastewater treatment and reuse.

In addition, Air Products also has established a scholarship program at SCUT for outstanding students at the School of Environmental Science and Engineering.

"Air Products is committed to the development of green technologies in China. Partnering with leading local universities and design institutes has been a key component of our strategy to accelerate technology development, and we are hopeful that the collaboration with SCUT will continue to grow," said Steve Jones, China president, and senior vice president and general manager of Tonnage Gases, Energy and Equipment, at Air Products. "SCUT is outstanding in environmental science with a focus on water treatment. Our strategic collaboration will enable us to advance water purification technology and commercialize sustainable and innovative solutions to meet China's local market needs, as well as cultivate talent. We hope to continue to explore further ways of working together."

SCUT is one of China's key universities operating under the direct leadership of the Ministry of Education of China. SCUT's School of Environmental Science and Engineering owns a number of patents in water treatment technologies and is one of the top research institutes focusing on pollution control and environmental protection.

Professor Zhi Dang, Dean of School of Environmental Science and Technology of SCUT said, "We are pleased to form a partnership with Air Products, which is one of the global industrial gas leaders and a highly innovative company. Our cooperation on the water purification technology is of great significance. The expected technology breakthroughs will support China's going green."

Air Products has been supplying the water and wastewater industries for over 30 years. Its innovative, value-added technology solutions help improve water treatment processes and have set the industry standard, such as its ozone vent gas reuse application and the recently launched Halia® mixer aeration system.

Air Products was the first global industrial gas company to establish an internal R&D capability in China when it set up its Asia Technology Center in 2005.

The company also has been actively partnering with China's leading universities and design institutes to drive development of advanced technologies to support the energy efficiency and environmental improvement targets under China's 12th Five Year Plan. It has formed joint R&D efforts with various leading Chinese universities including the Tianjin University, the China University of Geosciences, the Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and the University of Science and Technology Beijing on various research projects to help build a greener community. 

Air Products (NYSE: APD) provides atmospheric, process and specialty gases; performance materials; equipment; and technology. For over 70 years, the company has enabled customers to become more productive, energy efficient and sustainable. More than 18,000 employees in over 40 countries supply innovative solutions to the energy, environment and emerging markets. These include semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, coal gasification, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. In fiscal 2011, Air Products had sales of $10.1 billion. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com. 

NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management's reasonable expectations and assumptions as of the date of this release regarding important risk factors. Actual performance and financial results may differ materially from projections and estimates expressed in the forward-looking statements because of many factors not anticipated by management, including risk factors described in the Company's Form 10K for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2011.

SOURCE Air Products