Air Products to Highlight Industrial Gases for Improved Plant-Based Food Processing at Natural Products Expo West

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., March 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Air Products (NYSE:APD) will be exhibiting at the Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, California from March 9-11 where the company will highlight the productivity and quality benefits of using industrial gases in a variety of natural food products, including plant-based food processing applications.

Among the technologies featured will be Air Products' Freshline^® IQF+ Tunnel Freezer, which provides a highly efficient design that allows processors to produce consistent, high-quality Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) products in larger throughputs than standard spray freezing cryogenic IQF freezers. Air Products will also highlight the Freshline^® Bottom Injection Cooling System that hygienically injects liquid nitrogen (LIN) or carbon dioxide (CO₂) into a product during the mixing, blending or grinding process. Combined with Air Products' proprietary clean-in-place (CIP) and analytics platforms, producers will be well-equipped to maximize production safety and efficiency for the long term.

Expo attendees are invited to stop by Air Products' booth 1672 in the Anaheim Convention Center to speak with an industry specialist about their specific processes and challenges. Food processors will discover the many benefits of Air Products' Freshline^® solutions to improve a variety of processes, such as food freezing and chilling. The extremely cold temperatures of these cryogenic gases enable food products to be chilled or frozen in minutes instead of the hours traditionally required with alternative systems. This rapid freeze results in smaller product weight losses and helps to ensure moisture and quality are maintained longer.

Cryogenic gases are also beneficial in grinding nutraceuticals, industrial hemp*, spices and other ingredients. During grinding operations, LIN or CO₂ can be used to eliminate frictional heat to improve mill throughput and grind consistency. This also helps prevent the loss of flavor and aroma.

For more than a half-century, Air Products' liquid nitrogen and CO₂ have been used to chill products to the ideal forming temperature. In the food industry, liquid nitrogen and CO₂ are commonly used to power tunnel and spiral freezers for the final preservation of food before it is packaged and shipped. These freezers offer customers smaller footprints and significantly lower cost compared to mechanical systems. Air Products also offers gaseous solutions including controlled atmosphere stunning, wastewater treatment, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), and inerting. 

A leader in cryogenic technology applications, Air Products operates food laboratories in the United States, Europe and Asia, where the company can test a customer's product on commercial-scale equipment to determine the feasibility of using cryogenic freezing or chilling for their specific process, and quantify the cost benefits of using cryogenics. The company also provides engineering services, as well as on-site testing capability and processing audits to reduce cryogen consumption. 

To learn more about Air Products' participation at Natural Products Expo West and the company's complete portfolio of Freshline^® solutions for meat and poultry production, visit Air Products' Cold Zone website.

About Air Products

Air Products (NYSE:APD) is a world-leading industrial gases company in operation for over 80 years focused on serving energy, environmental, and emerging markets. The Company has two growth pillars driven by sustainability. Air Products' base business provides essential industrial gases, related equipment and applications expertise to customers in dozens of industries, including refining, chemicals, metals, electronics, manufacturing, and food. The Company also develops, engineers, builds, owns and operates some of the world's largest industrial gas and carbon-capture projects, supplying world-scale clean hydrogen for global transportation, industrial markets, and the broader energy transition. Additionally, Air Products is the world leader in the supply of liquefied natural gas process technology and equipment, and globally ­provides turbomachinery, membrane systems and cryogenic containers.

The Company had fiscal 2022 sales of $12.7 billion from operations in over 50 countries and has a current market capitalization of about $65 billion. More than 21,000 passionate, talented and committed employees from diverse backgrounds are driven by Air Products' higher purpose to create innovative solutions that benefit the environment, enhance sustainability and reimagine what's possible to address the challenges facing customers, communities, and the world. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

*Air Products will only conduct business with industrial hemp growers that provide proof of compliance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations.

SOURCE Air Products