French industrial gases supplier eyes long-term development in China

French industrial gases supplier Air Liquide on Thursday expressed confidence in China's innovation potential as it is committed to developing itself there in the long run.

Air Liquide Thursday inaugurated its new research and technology center in Shanghai just after it celebrated the 20th anniversary of the establishment of its engineering and construction facilities in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang province.

"We are extremely pleased to simultaneously celebrate these two events in Shanghai and in Hangzhou, illustrating commitment to grow in China over the long term," Francois Darchis, senior vice-president of Air Liquide, said in an online press release.

"This has been made possible with the help of the local authorities, partnerships with our customers, and connections with academia and more generally, with the innovation ecosystems," Darchis added.

Located in the Shanghai Xinzhuang Industrial Park, the new research and technology center, which is worth 25 million euros (around 27.6 million U.S. dollars), is set to become a major center for Air Liquide's innovation efforts in the Asia-Pacific region.

The research institution, covering an area of 12,000 square meters, will focus on such areas as energy transition, CO2 emissions reduction, waste water treatment and urban air quality.

In China, Air Liquide now operates nearly 90 plants and employs about 4,500 employees with a strong presence in the key coastal industrial areas. Its main business activities include industrial and medical gas operations, as well as engineering and construction. Endi