The plant will liquefy oxygen and other gases and fill cylinders with them for shipment.

The plant will be the first constructed by Air Water in the country and the third it operates there, after two acquired along with the Indian operations of peers Linde and Praxair in 2019. While the existing facilities cater to specific large buyers in industries such as steel, the new plant will focus on lower-volume orders supplying businesses around Chennai.

Air Water is expected to invest about ¥4 billion (US$26.7 million) in the project. It plans to break ground in October 2023 and open the facility in October 2024. The company, which aims to increase sales in the country to ¥50 billion by fiscal 2030 from ¥15 billion now, will consider expanding in northern India as well.

The Osaka-based company’s long-term management plan through fiscal 2030 calls for raising sales generated overseas to 20% of the total from 8.6% in fiscal 2021. Besides India, Air Water also plans to expand production and sales facilities in North America.