HOUSTON, Texas, Nov. 4, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via PRWEB - Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP ("Air Liquide") recently hosted a groundbreaking ceremony in Beaumont, Texas, for a new state-of-the-art, energy efficient Air Separation Unit (ASU) that will produce oxygen, nitrogen and argon.
The new ASU was designed to produce 2,500 tonnes per day of oxygen, 2,600 tonnes per day of nitrogen and 88 tonnes per day of liquid argon. The majority of oxygen produced will be supplied to a new world-scale methanol plant owned and operated by Natgasoline LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of OCI N.V. Additional capacity will be supplied to other customers in the region via Air Liquide's extensive pipeline network, which runs along the Gulf Coast in Texas and Louisiana. The ASU is expected to be commissioned by the second half of 2016.
Representatives of OCI, local public officials and local community leaders joined Air Liquide for the groundbreaking ceremony.
In addition to the oxygen supply agreement, Air Liquide is supplying its Lurgi MegaMethanol® process technology to OCI's Natgasoline facility. The MegaMethanol® Technology, which converts natural gas to methanol, is part of the Air Liquide Global E&C Solutions proprietary Lurgi technology portfolio. The supply of oxygen, combined with this natural gas-to-methanol conversion technology, will provide this customer with an industry-leading solution for large-scale methanol production.
Michael Graff, chairman and CEO of American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc., commented: "We are very pleased to see support from our customers, elected officials and members of the community today as we break ground for another large-scale production unit in East Texas. This investment affirms Air Liquide's commitment to this region and to the local economy. Additionally, this project demonstrates Air Liquide's unique turnkey capabilities as both a gas supplier of choice and a global technology provider. We look forward to further supporting our customers in the region, supplying high-quality products, technologies and services in a safe, reliable and sustainable way."
About Air Liquide in the U.S.
Air Liquide employs more than 5,000 people in the U.S. in over 200 locations. The company offers industrial and medical gases, technologies and related services to customers in energy, industrial, electronics and healthcare markets. http://www.us.airliquide.com
About Air Liquide Group
World leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health, Air Liquide is present in 80 countries with more than 50,000 employees and serves more than 2 million customers and patients. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen have been at the core of the company's activities since its creation in 1902. Air Liquide's ambition is to be the leader in its industry, delivering long-term performance and acting responsibly.
Air Liquide ideas create value over the long term. At the core of the company's development are the commitment and constant inventiveness of its people.
Air Liquide anticipates the challenges of its markets, invests locally and globally, and delivers high-quality solutions to its customers and patients, and the scientific community.
The company relies on competitiveness in its operations, targeted investments in growing markets and innovation to deliver profitable growth over the long-term.
Air Liquide's revenues amounted to € 15.4 billion in 2014, and its solutions that protect life and the environment represented more than 40% of sales. Air Liquide is listed on the Paris Euronext stock exchange (compartment A) and is a member of the CAC 40 and Dow Jones Euro Stoxx 50 indexes.
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