Partnering with Shenzhen One Foundation, a non-profit organization in China, Air Products donated 22 sets of water purification and dispensing devices along with reusable water containers to provide purified and warm direct drinking water to more than 12,000 students at 17 schools in Xiangyuan County. The donation was made through the Air Products Foundation which works with charitable organizations around the world that share the values inherent in the company’s higher purpose including enhancing the quality of life in its host communities.
“This is a very exciting program and is the first one in China supported by a grant from the Air Products Foundation,” said Simon Moore, vice president, Investor Relations, Corporate Relations and Sustainability at Air Products. “We are very pleased that the Air Products Foundation, combined with our employee volunteer efforts, are able to support important community programs in China like this one. We look forward to supporting additional worthy community projects in the future.”
As part of the program, the company’s employee volunteers will also offer the students science courses relating to water and gases, aiming to plant the seeds of a passion for science in the hearts of the young generation.
“Children are the future masters of the society. We are excited to embark on another community effort in China in which our employees are also engaged, and that improves the life of young generation and nurtures their innovative mindset by fostering their interest in science. It reinforces Air Products’ ongoing commitment as a responsible corporate citizen to grow with the country and support its sustainable development,” said Air Products China president Saw Choon Seong. “Joining forces with One Foundation to bring health and warmth to the needy makes us feel proud. We will continue to identify the needs and give back to the communities as guided by our core value to create a more sustainable world.”
Air Products operates its first coal gasification project worldwide in Xiangyuan County to supply syngas to Lu’An Coal-based Clean Energy Co. Ltd. for the production of high-value chemicals.
Air Products has been actively driving and participating in a variety of corporate social responsibility initiatives under its community outreach theme “Working here. Living here. Giving here.” Its LIN (Liquid Nitrogen) Ambassador program, which is aimed at fostering the next generation’s interest in science and innovation through fun and safe LIN experiments, has reached more than 5,000 students and teachers in about 60 local schools in China. Other initiatives include research and development, best practice and knowledge transfer, campaign sponsorships, scholarships, internships and donations by collaborating with customers, leading local universities and other parties.
Sustainability is at the core of Air Products’ strategy. The company has recently announced a new Sustainability goal to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) intensity (kg CO2/MM BTU) by one-third by the year 2030 from a 2015 baseline. It set this new target as it closes in on successfully attaining a series of 2020 Sustainability goals. In China, the company has been supporting the government and industries on transformation and upgrade through its gases, leading-edge technologies and innovative solutions to improve energy efficiency, productivity and environmental performance.