L’ISLE-D’ABEAU, FRANCE – Air Products & Chemicals Inc., an industrial supplier that services the food and beverage industry, was struck by a terror attack June 26, leaving one dead.

“We can confirm that an attack occurred at our facility in L’Isle-d’Abeau, France, this morning,” the company said in a statement. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and want to express our sympathies to the family of the victim of this unspeakable tragedy.”


The plant attacked was located in an industrial park near L’Isle-D’Abeau, a small town southeast of Lyon.

Based in Allentown, Pa., Air Products supplies the food and beverage industries principally through its Merchant Gases segment. The business unit sells atmospheric gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, and argon (primarily recovered by the cryogenic distillation of air); process gases such as hydrogen and helium (purchased or refined from crude helium); and specialty gases, together with related services and equipment to customers globally.

In the food industry, the company’s products and services relate to modified-atmosphere packaging, cooling chilling and freezing applications. Segments of the food industry serviced by the company include baked foods, beverages, dairy/ice cream, desserts, fish/seafood, fruits and vegetables, meat/poultry, oils and fats, prepared meats and sauces.

French President Francois Hollande and French police officers have said a severed head was found at the site of the plant along with a flag bearing Islamist inscriptions.

A suspect has been detained in connection with the attack.

Air Products said security has been beefed up at its other locations around the world as a precautionary measure.