Collaborative International Research Project Gets Underway in Grimsby

Air Products and the Grimsby Institute Join Forces to Lead Food Freezing Research

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Sep 08, 2011, 02:03 ET

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., Sept. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Air Products (NYSE: APD) and the Grimsby Institute (North East Lincolnshire, U.K.) are announcing a collaborative international research program to support the creation of best practice guidelines for food freezing and chilling, as well as lead in the development of new advanced technologies for use by food processors around the world.

The research program will provide a strategic review of the principles and practices of chilling and freezing food to establish best practice guidelines. Led from the Grimsby Institute's Food Refrigeration Process Engineering Research Centre (FRPERC), the research will be carried out by research fellows Stephen James, Christian James and Graham Purnell, backed by 100 years of know-how and expertise now located in Grimsby. Their activity will be supported by a group of research students from universities in Southern China, who will be completing MSc degrees in productivity and innovation. Air Products, a leading global supplier of food freezing and chilling systems, will also be collaborating in the research project, providing access to the latest hi-tech cryogenic freezing systems, as well as advising on how to optimize systems during the research activity.

In addition to considering the potential of cryogenic freezing technologies, the research project aims to explore the role of electromagnets in advanced freezing applications. In particular, the Cells Alive System -- an award-winning electromagnetic freezing system from Japan -- will be investigated as part of the research activity.

The Grimsby Institute's Professor Mike Dillon, who is responsible for helping to bring FRPERC to Grimsby, commented, "It is great to see the applied research unit get this agreement so soon after setting up base in Grimsby. I know this project will be the first of many to help build our reputation nationally and internationally as a center of excellence in the freezing and chilling of seafood."

Jon Trembley, technology manager for cryogenic applications at Air Products, said, "This is an exciting research project that will establish guidelines that can be followed by food processors around the world at the same time as helping to realize the potential of emerging technologies in the area of food freezing and chilling.

"Having worked with FRPERC in the past, we are delighted to be collaborating with them again in Grimsby, and we very much hope that the involvement of some of China's top students will help to spread the word about the benefits of cryogenic technologies in this fast-developing part of the world."

The research program gets underway in October and, while it is planned to continue for one year initially, it may continue after that time, backed by further established links with universities in Southern China.

Air Products (NYSE: APD) serves customers in industrial, energy, technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and equipment and services. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment. In fiscal 2010, Air Products had revenues of $9 billion, operations in over 40 countries, and 18,300 employees around the globe. 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, 2010.

SOURCE Air Products