Linde LLC, Bridgewater, N.J., will soon break ground on a new large-scale air separation unit (ASU) in Adel, Ga. The $40 million plant will produce liquid atmospheric gas products essential to U.S. food processors, among other industries. Completion is slated for the first quarter of 2019.

“Linde remains committed to serving the needs of our customers and to grow in the Americas,” says Pat Murphy, president of Linde Americas. “We chose this location based on its proximity to customers and the strong, pro-business environment in Cook County and the City of Adel. This new, large-scale ASU will strengthen Linde’s presence in Southeast USA, where we are No. 1 among industrial gases producers. Extending our strong merchant gases supply network farther south will also increase our ability to reliably satisfy our customers’ current and future requirements.”

Linde has been expanding in the Southeast market for several years, supplying gas products to customers from its plants in Cartersville, Ga., and Aiken, S.C. This new plant will give Linde added capacity to support the medium- and long-term growth of key accounts and industries in the region.

The new plant is expected to create up to 35 new jobs, in addition to temporary jobs during the construction phase. Linde currently operates more than 10 sites in Georgia and employs 570 employees statewide.