Established in the United States during 1979 and developed in Japan, PSA O₂ was originally developed in competition with liquid oxygen. Over the years its applications have grown, it now occupies over 300 production units in Japan and has an estimated overall market value of ¥2 bn.
However as the sector struggles to recover from the effects of the economic crisis, market leaders are exploring new ventures, particularly overseas distribution and environmental efforts.
Hideki Nakamura, Assistant Manager of the Plant Gas Department at Air Water noted that opportunities are growing given the turning environmental consensus. He stated, “If the current trend among companies to ‘reduce CO₂ by 25%’ were to continue, this would certainly lead to real demand.”
In addition, the three major PSA O₂ groups, Sumitomo Seika Chemicals, Showa Kankyo System (SKS) and Air Water, have all outlined overseas business expansion plans. Sumitomo Seika Chemicals records that 40% of the PSA units it has sold were distributed overseas.
Kazutoyo Muratsu, Manager of Equipment Systems at the company expects demand to grow, he commented, “The demand in Asia is rapidly recovering,” Muratsu continued, “This year we will be approaching the East Asian market vigorously and strategically, and in particular the Indian market.” Similarly, Hideki Adasaka, Manager of Sales at SKS, agreed, “Taking on-site construction and maintenance into consideration, we really have no choice but to centre on Asia.”
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