On February 24, Air Water announced that it agreed to a strategic collaboration with Mitsui of trading giant for a global development of the industrial gas business.

As the first step they will start with collaboration with view to participation in the North American market of industrial gases. Air Water aims to acquire gas users globally taking advantage of Mitsui’s overseas network.

Taking the North American market as the first target, Mitsui acquired the preferred stock of Air Water America (Air Water America) of Air Water’s local affiliate with a value of USD40 million (JPY4. 5 billion).

Air Water America, established in 2018, has been mainly engaged in the gas-related engineering and equipment business in its North American business, affiliating Air Water AMCS which deals with engineering of ASU, Tayler Wharton America which manufactures and sells cryogenic transport equipment and TOMCO which handles cryogenic equipment of beverage. It is planning now to participate in the industrial gas business as gas manufacturer.

What the company intends to attempt in the North American market is a supply model in use of VSU of small-sized liquid plant which is being developed in Japan.
The strategy is intended to challenge the gas majors which oligopoly in North America by means of reducing delivery costs building its plants nearby the areas of demand for gases.

At present a liquefying plant is under construction at one location in the US. The company is also planning to construct two more plants. Through the collaboration with Mitsui at this time, the company intends to develop customers who may become its partner.