Air Products appointed Stephen J Jones to lead the company's next phase of strategic development in China as president of the Shanghai-based company.

Jones, a member of the company's corporate executive committee, will retain his current role as senior vice president and general manager of Global Tonnage Gases, Equipment and Energy.

"We plan to accelerate our investment and development on many fronts. With our particular focus on energy and the environment, we are well positioned to bring innovative and sustainable solutions related to plant efficiency, energy saving and emissions reduction to support the Chinese government's 12th Five Year Plan and future plans to grow together with the country," Stephen Jones said.

Air Products has been operating in China since 1987 and was one of the first multinational industrial gas corporations to invest in the country.

The company has 40 operating entities, 50 production facilities and 2,200 employees in China.