Air Products will build a new Florida ASU by 2028 to supply industrial gases for aerospace and regional industries.
Air Products, one of the world’s leading suppliers of industrial gases, has announced its plan to build, own, and operate a new air separation unit (ASU) in the City of Cocoa, Florida. This strategic investment is aimed at expanding the company’s production capacity and strengthening its supply network across the southeastern United States, particularly in support of Florida’s growing industrial and aerospace sectors.
The new facility will be designed to produce three key industrial gases: liquid oxygen, liquid nitrogen, and liquid argon. These gases are essential for a wide range of industries and applications, including aerospace operations, healthcare, metal fabrication, chemicals, and manufacturing. The plant is expected to become operational in the second half of 2028, marking another significant milestone in Air Products’ long-term expansion strategy in North America.
According to Francesco Maione, President of Americas, Helium and Rare Gases at Air Products, the location of the new ASU in Cocoa offers a major strategic advantage. He highlighted that the facility’s proximity to Florida’s active space launch ecosystem creates a valuable opportunity to improve service and supply support for space launch providers operating in the region. Florida is home to major launch sites and a rapidly expanding commercial space industry, making reliable access to high-purity industrial gases increasingly important.
Liquid oxygen plays a critical role in rocket propulsion systems and is widely used by launch providers as an oxidizer in rocket fuel. Similarly, liquid nitrogen is commonly used for cooling, purging, and inerting processes, while liquid argon supports specialized industrial applications such as welding and metal production. By positioning the ASU close to these demand centers, Air Products aims to ensure more efficient delivery and stronger customer support.
In addition to serving aerospace and launch-related operations, all three gases produced at the new Cocoa facility will also be made available to the regional merchant market. Industries such as metals processing, fabrication, medical services, and chemical manufacturing across Florida and neighboring areas will benefit from improved access to these essential products. This broader market availability reflects Air Products’ commitment to serving both large-scale industrial customers and local businesses.
Air Products already has a strong presence in Florida, having operated an ASU in Orlando for more than 30 years. That facility has consistently supplied medical and industrial gases while contributing to the local economy. The new Cocoa plant will further strengthen the company’s regional infrastructure and allow it to better meet rising customer demand.
Nationwide, Air Products operates approximately 70 ASUs across the United States, demonstrating its extensive industrial gas production network. The addition of the Cocoa facility reinforces the company’s leadership position in the market and supports its continued focus on reliable supply, customer proximity, and long-term growth across critical industries.
