Two years into dealing with the global coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and the subsequent effect on the US economy and business markets, air gases – the bread and butter of the US industrial gas business – has been impacted in some markets more than others by supply chain and labor issues.
These issues caused some planned plant startups in 2020 and 2021 to be delayed until the next calendar year. US economic data pointed to some markets being more resilient than others. Markets that fared better included healthcare, electronics, and food processing while the greatest negative impact was on the manufacturing and metals sector. We begin 2022 with hopes of a return to normal but experience shows Covid variants may be a longer-term issue. Vaccinations and variants aside, the hopes of a return to normal will be driven by the economy which is being hampered by inflation, rising energy prices, and lack of labor – all a result of policies that were meant to combat the impact of the pandemic or answer political demand on the new administration.
Announcements of domestic air separation unit (ASU) and liquefaction builds and expansions for startup through 2023 picked up in during 2021, reflecting the US air gases business trying to get back to business as usual during the pandemic.
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