Air Liquide to invest EUR25 m in oxygen facility upgrade in China

Industrial gases firm Air Liquide says it will invest EUR25 million to revamp its Air Separation Unit (ASU) in Yulin, Shaanxi Province, a key industrial hub in China. As part of a contract extension with a subsidiary of the Yanchang Group, this revamping will immediately enable a reduction of the unit’s CO2 emissions and will offer a greater oxygen production capacity.

This major project illustrates French firm’s decarbonisation approach, which has already electrified two facilities in Tianjin, in line with the Chinese 2030/2060 carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals.

In Yulin, the existing steam-driven ASU will be converted to a more efficient electricity-driven system, allowing for an immediate reduction in CO2 emissions of 224,000 tonnes/year. By leveraging low-carbon energy sourcing gradually from the start of the plant, the total annual CO2 emissions reduction will reach 550,000 tonnes, it claims.

In addition, following the upgrade, the ASU’s oxygen capacity will be increased by 10%. This future production unit powered by electricity is expected to be operational at the end of 2027.

The contract was signed in Beijing, during the visit of Emmanuel Macron, President of France, recently to contribute to the 2030/2060 carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals of China.

Air Liquide says it has established since 2008 a long-term partnership with the Yanchang Group by supplying gas to its subsidiary Kaiyue.