Air Liquide Advanced Technologies US, a subsidiary of the French industrial gases producer, has acquired PoroGen, a US manufacturer of porous polymeric membranes used in many industrial applications including oil and gas, refining and petrochemicals, energy, power generation and aerospace.

The portfolio of the company based at Woburn, Massachusetts, includes products based on polyether ether ketone (PEEK) membrane materials for applications in gas separation, gas / liquid transfer, hybrid absorption, nanofiltration and microfiltration.

Air Liquide said PoroGen’s membrane technology complements its own Medal line of polymeric membranes; thus, the deal will give it “the most robust and highest performing hollow fiber membrane portfolio in the industry.”

The natural gas industry, particularly the offshore market, will immediately benefit from its all-membrane solutions from the well-head to the gas pipeline, the company added, noting that the acquisition also strengthens its position within the aerospace, refining and petrochemical markets.

“The acquisition of PoroGen enables us to further expand our portfolio of industry-leading membrane technologies, as well as our production capacity, to meet growing demand in many sectors,” said Ole Hoefelmann, CEO of Air Liquide Advanced Technologies US.

PoroGen’s technology also “complements many ongoing efforts of Air Liquide's global research and development network, adding to its growing portfolio of technologies that are less energy intensive,” the company said.

With the takeover by Air Liquide, which employs more than 5,000 people at more than 200 US locations, PoroGen, President Ben Bikson said the benefits of his company’s technology will now be available to a broad range of global customers.