Radnor, Pa.-based Airgas announced Tuesday it had installed two argon storage nodes as a way to strengthen the argon supply chain.
The industrial, medical and specialty gases company, a division of Air Liquide, said the additional argon storage nodes would add to the rail and trucking supply chain, improving argon reliability and delivery for the automotive, aeronautical, electronic, manufacturing and metal fabrication industries.
“Our investment in these argon storage nodes will provide additional resilience in our supply chain as we strive to provide world class experience and reliability to our customers,” Airgas CEO Marcelo Fioranelli said.
The nodes were completed in late 2022/early 2023, and are located in Moraine, Ohio and Guilderland, N.Y., the company said. Both storage facilities each hold enough argon to fill an estimated 40 tanker trucks. Airgas said a third node is expected to be operational by the end of this year.
The storage relays will bring more flexibility to argon distribution by bringing more product closer to customers, while adjusting for recent rail transportation delays and logistics challenges. The company said it will continue to take action as a company to minimize disruption effects on the supply chain, while enhancing operations and meeting customer needs throughout the country.