Air Liquide Brings New ASU Online in Louisiana
02/14/2012 - Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP has started up a new Air Separation Unit (ASU) at its facility in Geismar, La. to increase its supply of nitrogen, oxygen and argon to customers in a range of industries.
Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP has started up a new Air Separation Unit (ASU) at its facility in Geismar, La. to increase its supply of nitrogen, oxygen and argon to customers in a range of industries.
The new production unit has enabled Air Liquide to increase the site’s production capacity and expand its customer base while further supporting industrial growth and economic development in Louisiana. The expansion also will help the company to supply Nucor Steel’s new Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) facility in Convent, a new agreement announced in December 2011.
“Air Liquide is very pleased to announce the expansion of our business in Louisiana, a state that prides itself on having one of the best business climates in the nation,” commented Michael Graff, President and CEO of American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc. “Our new ASU in Geismar is a sound investment that will serve Air Liquide, our customers, and the people of Louisiana well into the future. Air Liquide is proud to be a driver of industrial growth and job creation throughout the region.”
The new ASU began commercial production in October 2011, producing high purity oxygen, nitrogen and argon for medical and industrial use. These products are delivered to customers via ground transportation and through Air Liquide’s extensive Mississippi River Pipeline system. Fourteen of the company’s air separation units are connected to the pipeline, supplying industrial gases to more than 30 customers along the Mississippi River.
The new ASU is one of three units operating at Air Liquide’s facility in Geismar. The first ASU became operational in October of 1999, and the second in February of 2000. The Geismar complex also includes a Hydrogen Purification Unit (HPU), a Co-generation plant that supplies approximately 80% of the electricity used to power the facility, and a transportation depot – Air Liquide’s largest in the U.S. in terms of output.
Air Liquide in the U.S. — Air Liquide companies in the U.S. employ about 5,000 employees in over 200 locations, offering industrial gases, equipment and related services to customers in the large industries, industrial merchant, electronics and healthcare markets.
Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP serves large industry in the U.S. by offering gas and energy solutions to optimize process efficiencies and help meet environmental responsibilities. In the U.S., the Air Liquide Large Industries business serves the refining, natural gas, chemistry and metals industries. It operates an extensive 1,800 mile pipeline system along the Gulf Coast and the Mississippi River and provided its customers with on-site gas production capabilities.
Air Liquide is a leading international provider of gases for industry, health and the environment, and is present in 80 countries with 43,600 employees. Oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen and rare gases have been at the core of Air Liquide’s activities since its creation in 1902. A partner for the long term, Air Liquide relies on employee commitment, customer trust and shareholder support to pursue its vision of sustainable, competitive growth.
In 2010, the Group’s revenues amounted to €13.5 billion, of which almost 80% were generated outside France.
