Air Products and Chemicals Inc. (APD Quick QuoteAPD - Free Report) will demonstrate the benefits of industrial gases in food processing applications at the Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, CA, from Mar 8-10. Use of these industrial gases can increase productivity and improve food quality for natural, organic and healthy food producers.

 

The products to be highlighted at the event include Freshline solutions that use liquid nitrogen and carbon dioxide in providing numerous benefits in food freezing and chilling applications. These cryogenic gases have extremely cold temperature that help food products to freeze in minutes. This results in smaller product weight losses and ensures that the moisture and the quality is maintained over a long period.

 

Other applications that use food-grade industrial gases, such as modified atmosphere packaging (“MAP”) will also be exhibited at the event.  MAP is a process that extends the shelf life of food and enables food to look, smell and taste good longer as food products spoil in different ways.

 

Freshline solutions are available for every type of customer ranging from large manufacturers with multiple product lines, to small food processors with a niche product, and every operation in between. 

 

Air Products’ shares have moved up 14.7% in the last three months, outperforming the industry’s 13% gain.

 

 

 

 

For fiscal 2018, Air Products anticipates adjusted earnings in the range of $7.15-$7.35 per share, up 13-16% from the prior year. The guidance includes an expected benefit of 20-25 cents per share from the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. For the fiscal second quarter, Air Products expects the same in the band of $1.65 to $1.70 per share. Also, it projects capital expenditure of $1.2-$1.4 billion for the current year.

 

Air Products has built a strong project backlog. These projects are anticipated to be accretive to earnings and cash flow over the next few years. In addition, strategic investments in high-return projects, new business deals and acquisitions are expected to drive results in fiscal 2018. The company also remains on track with its cost-reduction programs, which is likely to support margins.

 

 

 

Air Products currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

 

Some other top-ranked stocks in the basic materials space are Methanex Corporation (MEOH Quick QuoteMEOH - Free Report) , LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (LYB Quick QuoteLYB - Free Report) and The Chemours Company (CC Quick QuoteCC - Free Report) . All three stocks sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

 

Methanex has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 15%. Its shares have gained 9.5% over a year. 

 

LyondellBasell has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 9%. The company’s shares have moved up 17.1% in a year.

 

Chemours has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 15.5%.  Its shares have surged 46.2% over a year. 

 

 

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