Two subsidiaries of the Air Liquide group - Seppic, a manufacturer of personal and health care specialty ingredients, and Schülke, a hygiene specialist - have started the construction of a new joint production facility in the United States.

Air Liquide invests USD60 million in a new manufacturing unit in the USA

Expected to start operations in the first half of 2018, the planned investment is over US$60 million and will create approximately 50 new jobs in the community,” explains the Air Liquide Group in a release.

25% of the global market

This new production facility will manufacture ingredients for the cosmetic and pharmaceutical global markets. According to the Group, the market for personal care specialty ingredients is worth more than US$10 billion globally, of which the U.S. represents 25%.

Located in Sandston, Henrico County, Virginia, this facility, will be run by a joint venture between Seppic and Schülke, named Polykon Manufacturing. It should help the two companies to strengthen their position in North American, in particular thanks to a better proximity to American customers.

Seppic and Schülke have a long presence in the United States serving leading health and beauty care customers. This first manufacturing unit for the two companies in the U.S. will extend their innovative potential and enlarge their industrial footprint and proximity with customers within North America, while strengthening their manufacturing capabilities globally. With this investment, Air Liquide pursues the development of its Hygiene and Specialty Ingredients activities, thus strengthening the Group’s Healthcare business in this region,” highlights François Jackow, member of the Air Liquide group’s Executive Committee, supervising the Healthcare activities.