Air Liquide, a global leader in industrial gases, technologies and services, announced it will invest more than $350 million in Louisiana to expand production capacity and pipeline infrastructure — its latest major bet on the state as a hub for next-generation American manufacturing.
The centerpiece of the expansion is a new Air Separation Unit (ASU) to be built at the existing Koch Methanol facility in St. James Parish. The unit will produce the oxygen, nitrogen and argon required by Hyundai-POSCO Louisiana Steel (HPLS), a new low-carbon steel facility that represents a landmark in domestic industrial decarbonization efforts. Air Liquide will also extend its pipeline infrastructure along the Mississippi River corridor, increasing capacity and efficiency at the current site.
“This partnership with HPLS reflects Air Liquide’s commitment to supporting industrial decarbonization in the U.S.,” an Air Liquide spokesperson said. “By leveraging our extensive Mississippi River infrastructure and high-efficiency technologies, we are delivering solutions that ensure both superior reliability and the flexibility required for HPLS’s pioneering green steel production.”
The announcement adds to an already substantial footprint in Louisiana. The company has operated in the state for more than 60 years, with over $470 million invested in recent years alone. It currently maintains more than 35 locations, employs over 500 people, and runs a 500-mile pipeline network serving key industries across the state.
Governor Jeff Landry welcomed the news, framing it as a validation of Louisiana’s business climate. “Air Liquide’s investment sends a clear message — Louisiana is where companies come to grow and compete,” Landry said. “They’ve been a strong partner in our state for years, and we’re proud to see them continue to expand and succeed right here. We’re going to keep doing the work to make sure businesses can move quickly, invest with confidence, and create real opportunity for the people of Louisiana.”
State officials also highlighted the broader economic ripple effects of large industrial anchors attracting supplier ecosystems. LED Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois noted that as major projects continue to scale across the state, they drive demand for partner suppliers, contractors and service providers. “As a decades-long driver company in Louisiana, Air Liquide’s expansion is another example of how this momentum is creating opportunity that reaches far beyond a single project,” Bourgeois said.
Commercial operations at the new St. James Parish facility are expected to begin in 2028.
