Our businesses outside Japan represent major pillars that serve as a driving force behind the Air Water Group’s continued growth. Currently, we are developing our business in North America mainly in the engineering field while collaborating with local partners and making new contacts.
In Japan, we have been involved in the development, manufacture, construction, and maintenance of industrial gas plants such as cryogenic air separation units and other gas-related facilities. Outside Japan, we have acquired unique technologies and product segments while establishing a global engineering base and leveraging the strengths of the industrial gas technologies that we have cultivated over many years. Currently, we are using our diverse equipment and engineering offerings in order to increase our market profile, mainly in North America. Moreover, we intend to develop an industrial gas supply business in the future in order to popularize an American version of the business model for VSUs (highly efficient and compact liquefied oxygen/nitrogen co-production plants ).
In the U.S.A., we established Air Water America in the state of New Jersey in January 2018 to oversee our Group companies in anticipation of ongoing business development in that market. Going forward, we intend to continue expanding our infrastructure development in the region through mergers and acquisitions.
Air Water Gas Solutions conducts Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) projects for industrial gas‑related plants—including cryogenic air separation units—in overseas markets.
Noble Gas Solutions is an industrial gas distributor based in the state of New York, USA.
Founded in 1940, it operates a main production facility at its headquarters in Albany, the state capital, and maintains two additional locations within the state, supported by a strong sales network.
Looking ahead, the company aims to collaborate with our Group’s first North American gas production facility, to be established in Rochester, New York, in order to build a fully integrated supply chain covering the entire industrial gas value chain—from upstream production to downstream distribution.
Phoenix Welding Supply is a distributor of industrial gases and welding materials based in Arizona. The state of Arizona hosts a large concentration of global companies in industries such as semiconductors, aerospace, and IT. In recent years, major semiconductor manufacturers have continued to make large-scale investments in high‑tech industries, including the construction of cutting‑edge semiconductor fabrication plants. As a result, the area has been experiencing robust economic growth. Through Phoenix, we are strengthening our presence in the southwestern United States while building a solid business foundation.
American Gas Products is a helium supplier with seven filling stations across the United States and a sales network that includes direct‑sale locations and distributors in every state. Through exclusive helium procurement contracts with multiple gas fields in the U.S., the company maintains a strong market share in the balloon helium segment.
Going forward, the industrial gas business in North America will expand its offerings beyond Air‑separated industrial gases—such as oxygen, nitrogen, and argon—to include higher value‑added gas products. By strengthening its comprehensive solution capabilities, we aim to capture growing demand in industries such as semiconductors and other advanced manufacturing sectors.
M1 Engineering Holdings is an engineering company based in Yorkshire, UK, with manufacturing facilities specializing in cryogenic transportation equipment for industrial gases and LNG. Since its establishment in 1973, the company has built a strong sales network across the UK and throughout Europe.
In anticipation of growing demand for liquefied hydrogen driven by decarbonization efforts in Europe, the Air Water Group will transfer its engineering technologies to the company, enabling the manufacture and sales of equipment for liquefied hydrogen applications.
TOMCO2 Systems has a wealth of experience, acquired mainly in the U.S. market, in the manufacture and maintenance of liquefied carbon dioxide equipment for use in the food and beverage industry. Leveraging its advanced technology in this area, the company engineers carbon dioxide supply equipment for use in factories and other such facilities; it also designs and manufactures carbon dioxide tanker trucks. The company’s technology is used in a wide range of applications, including the use of carbon dioxide gas in water treatment facilities and in fire extinguishing equipment.
Air Water has invested in FirstElement Fuel, a company engaged in the development and operation of hydrogen refueling stations in California, U.S.
While supporting the expansion of the hydrogen station network promoted by FEF, we are also accumulating related technologies and business expertise, advancing initiatives with a view to expanding our hydrogen business.
