Air Products Membrane Solutions has cut the ribbon on a $70 million expansion of its Maryland Heights manufacturing and logistics center, turning a suburban industrial complex into a major new hub for the company’s PRISM membrane separators. The larger footprint brings new production lines for PRISM GreenSep units used in bio-LNG upgrading and PRISM N2Sep systems for onsite nitrogen generation, and company officials say the buildout has significantly bumped up local headcount. Local elected officials joined employees at the ceremony as the plant moves into full operation.
The ribbon-cutting took place on Wednesday and drew more than 100 guests, including state and local leaders, company executives and contractors, according to PR Newswire. Air Products said it has completed more than 70 hires tied to the project and that the Maryland Heights site now employs more than 250 people. The company also noted that the Air Products Foundation used the event to announce two grants totaling $30,000 to Backstoppers and The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
What the facility will make
The expanded factory will turn out PRISM GreenSep membrane separators for bio-LNG production along with PRISM N2Sep units that generate nitrogen from compressed air. According to Membrane Solutions, those products target customers in biogas upgrading, hydrogen recovery, aerospace and cleaner marine fuels markets, placing Maryland Heights squarely in the middle of several fast-growing clean-energy supply chains.
From announcement to opening
The expansion was first announced in May 2024, when the Missouri Department of Economic Development said the company planned to invest more than $70 million and add roughly 30 jobs as production ramped up, according to the state release. The department said the project qualified for Missouri Works incentives, and officials initially expected production to begin by the end of 2025.
Local partners and construction
PARIC served as the project’s general contractor, overseeing a roughly 75,000-square-foot expansion that the firm said would increase manufacturing capacity and support new hires, according to PARIC. In a statement quoted by PR Newswire, Dr. Erin Sorensen, general manager of Air Products Membrane Solutions, called the opening “a great day for Air Products Membrane Solutions and the area community,” and emphasized the company’s push to scale up U.S. production of clean-energy technologies.
Officials framed the expansion as a win for regional manufacturing and for the broader clean-energy ecosystem, since the facility will add domestic production of systems that help convert biogas and recover hydrogen into higher-value products. Company materials and state officials said the Maryland Heights site is expected to play a growing role as global demand for PRISM membrane technology continues to rise.
