Air Liquide Investing $45M In Pennsylvania Expansion

The France-based specialty chemicals company will create and retain nearly 270 jobs in the Keystone State's Lehigh Valley. 

Air Liquide Advanced Materials, Inc., a manufacturer of specialty chemicals in the semiconductor business and subsidiary of Air Liquide Group, has chosen Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley as the location to expand its operations. The expansion project will create nearly 200 jobs in Northampton County.

Air Liquide Lehigh Valley Pennsylvania
(Photo: Air Liquide Advanced Materials, Inc.)

“Air Liquide is committed to continued long term growth and engagement with the communities in which it operates,” said Paul Burlingame, president and CEO of Air Liquide Advanced Materials. “We are pleased that our community ties and strong partnership with the Governor’s Action team have helped make this investment possible. We look forward to expanding our operations in Northampton County and are proud to contribute to the growing economic vitality in the area and strengthening the manufacturing industry in the state.”

After exploring locations for expansion outside of Pennsylvania and the U.S., Air Liquide chose to locate into a 105,000-square-foot facility in Upper Mount Bethel Township, five miles from its already existing operation. The company plans to invest nearly $45 million into the project, and will create 188 new high-paying jobs and retain 80 more jobs over the next three years.

“This project will have a big impact on Northampton County, providing nearly 200 family-sustaining jobs to workers in the area,” said Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf. “I applaud Air Liquide for recognizing the benefits of doing business here in Pennsylvania and choosing the commonwealth as the site for its continued growth into the future.”

Air Liquide received a funding proposal from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for $564,000 in Pennsylvania First funding and $564,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits to be distributed upon creation of the new jobs. The project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team, and additional coordination was provided by the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC).

“The presence of Voltaix and now Air Liquide has been a hidden gem for many years in Northampton County and the Lehigh Valley,” said Don Cunningham, president and CEO of LVEDC. “The company’s decision to remain and grow here will result in even more high-quality manufacturing jobs in an important technology sector of the economy. We’re grateful for Air Liquide’s decision to continue its growth here helping to drive manufacturing as the second largest part of the Lehigh Valley economy.”

“This shows that with the right collaboration and smart economic incentives we can attract and grow high-quality manufacturing jobs in Northampton County,” said Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure. “The expansion of Air Liquide and its growing commitment to the Slate Belt is a significant economic success story for the county.”

Air Liquide Advanced Materials (ALAM) is a developer, manufacturer, and deliverer of specialty gases, liquids, and solid materials for the semiconductor and other high technology industries. ALAM was created in 2013 when Voltaix was acquired by Air Liquide and subsequently merged with the ALOHA business line. ALAM operates globally with manufacturing facilities in the United States, South Korea, Japan and France producing a variety of products that enable customers’ next generation manufacturing processes.

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