Air Liquide and Hefei Institutes of Physical Science join hands to promote the development of helium refrigeration equipment in China

SHANGHAI,Jan. 8,2021 -- Air Liquide and Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Science ("HFIPS"),signed an agreement in Hefei to establish a joint-venture. This aims to boost the development and manufacturing of helium refrigeration systems,supporting the evolution of large scientific research experiments ("Big Science") in China.

Signing ceremony

Helium refrigerators are key high-tech equipment,based on the expertise in extreme cryogenics,necessary in many scientific instruments such as superconducting power equipment,superconducting accelerators,superconducting magnets,fusion devices or other scientific laboratories. Helium refrigerators produce the very low temperatures needed to provide the superconducting conditions to allow these instruments to operate.

Air Liquide Helium Refrigeration System

Under this upcoming joint venture,Air Liquide will bring its mastery of extreme cryogenics and its know-how in the design and manufacturing of helium refrigerators while HFIPS will share its mastery of specific cryogenics applications and deep understanding of research needs and organizations in China. The two parties will leverage on their own advantages thanks to open innovation to jointly promote the localized production and extensive application of helium refrigerators to customers in China.

This agreement illustrates Air Liquide's willingness to constantly innovate and to be close to the customers. Thanks to its technologies Air Liquide continues to invent the future and to meet the evolving needs of its customers and the challenges of society,both domestically and globally.

Air Liquide Helium Refrigeration System

Nicolas Poirot,President & CEO of Air Liquide China commented: "We are delighted to cooperate with Hefei Institutes of Physical Scienceto promote the localized production and application of helium refrigeration systems and jointly contribute to the evolution of Big Science. Air Liquide will continue to integrate global resources and technologies,strengthen exchanges and cooperations with local enterprises and research institutions,and actively participate in the open innovation and economic and social development of Anhui Province and Hefei."

About Air Liquide China

Air Liquide in China operates nearly 100 plants and employs close to 5,000 employees today. With a strong presence in the key coastal industrial areas,Air Liquide is now expanding into the center,south and west. Its main business activities include industrial and medical gas operations,home health service,Engineering & Construction (designing,manufacturing and installing air separation units/hydrogen facilities),as well as Innovation activities.

Air Liquide helium refrigeration expertise

Air Liquide has unique expertise in the field of very low temperatures and recognised know-how in the design,production,and installation of high-capacity gas liquefaction and refrigeration systems. Air Liquide has supplied helium liquefaction and refrigeration systems to scientific laboratories and Universities on every continent (CERN in Switzerland,SSRF and SINAP in China,SLAC in the USA,ESS in Sweden,IBS in Korea,etc.). Air Liquide has also supplied high-capacity helium cryogenic equipment for the biggest fusion projects of the last 30 years (Tore Supra in France,JET in UK,SST-1 in India,KSTAR in Korea,JT60-SA in Japan,ITER in France...). Helium liquefiers for industrial applications were also manufactured by Air Liquide for third-party clients like RasGas in Qatar.