Air Products To Highlight Industrial Gases For Improved Natural, Organic And Plant-Based Food Processing At Natural Products Expo West

Lehigh Valley, PA /PRNewswire/ -- Air Products (NYSE: APD) will be exhibiting at the Natural Products Expo West from March 6-8 in Anaheim, Calif., where the company will highlight the productivity and quality benefits of using industrial gases in a variety of natural, organic and plant-based food processing applications.

Show attendees are invited to stop by Air Products' booth H120 at the Anaheim Hilton to discuss their food processing challenges with one of the company's knowledgeable food specialists. Food processors will discover many benefits of the company's Freshline® solutions, which use liquid nitrogen (LIN) and carbon dioxide (CO2) 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, spices and other ingredients. During grinding operations, LIN or CO2 can be used to eliminate frictional heat to help improve mill throughput and grind consistency. This also helps prevent the loss of flavor and aroma components.

Air Products provides food-grade industrial gases for other applications, such as modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). MAP is a process where the breathable atmosphere in a package is replaced with pure gas, like nitrogen, or a mixture of gases to extend the shelf life of food. Because food products spoil in different ways—whether through microbial growth, discoloration, oxidation or moisture loss—industrial gases can be added into the package to change the composition of the air around the food, enabling food to look, smell and taste good longer.

As a leader in cryogenic technology applications, Air Products operates state-of-the-art food and grinding labs in Allentown, Pa., where the company can test a customer's product on production-scale equipment to help determine the feasibility of using cryogenics in their process, quantify the cost versus benefits of using cryogenics, and optimize their food processing operation.

Air Products has been supplying the food industry with gases, equipment and technology for over 60 years. The company has Freshline® solutions for every type of customer, from large manufacturers with multiple product lines, to small food processors with a niche product, and every operation in between. Air Products offers industrial gases in a variety of delivery options to match each customer's requirements. For more information about the company's complete portfolio of offerings for the food industry, call 800-654-4567 (outside of the U.S. 610-706-4730) or visit www.airproducts.com/food.

About Air Products
Air Products (NYSE: APD) is a world-leading industrial gases company in operation for over 75 years. The Company provides industrial gases and related equipment to dozens of industries, including refining, chemical, metals, electronics, manufacturing, and food and beverage. Air Products is also the world's leading supplier of liquefied natural gas process technology and equipment.

The Company had fiscal 2018 sales of $8.9 billion from operations in 50 countries and has a current market capitalization of about $35 billion. Approximately 16,000 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 address the challenges facing customers, communities, and the world. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.