Air Liquide inaugurates two electrified oxygen production units in Tianjin

Air Liquide inaugurated its two electrified Air Separation Units (ASU) in Tianjin on October 17. The modernization of the two ASUs from steam-powered to electricity-powered, a first of its kind for the Group in China, will significantly reduce the CO2 emissions linked to the production of oxygen and other gases. 

As part of the inauguration, Air Liquide Group CEO François Jackow, Group Vice President supervising Asia Pacific Ronnie Chalmers, Air Liquide China CEO Rui Coelho and Wei Yifeng, Chairman of Tianjin Bohua Yongli Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. (YLC), attended the ceremony.

The ASU electrification in Tianjin marks a major initiative by Air Liquide to modernize and reduce the CO2 footprint of its oxygen production units in China. With an investment of around 60 million euros, the initiative involved converting two ASUs to be powered by electricity instead of steam, reducing annual CO2 emissions by 370,000 tons. Low-carbon energy sourcing is also considered through Power Purchase Agreement, which would lead to an additional reduction of carbon emissions. 

Air Liquide is committed to providing concrete solutions to support customers in decarbonizing their production processes. Announced in 2023, the electrification of Air Liquide's two ASUs in Tianjin was initiated in the context of the renewal of a long-term industrial gases supply contract signed with YLC, aiming to provide low-carbon gases to facilitate the customer's carbon reduction roadmap. Air Liquide also signed a three-party Memorandum of Understanding with YLC and the Tianjin Binhai District in 2023, notably to explore the implementation of Carbon Capture, Use and Storage (CCUS) solutions. 

Tianjin is one of the major basins for Air Liquide in China. Since 1995, the Group has been actively engaged in the city's industrial development and now currently owns and operates four ASU production sites, along with a pipeline network connecting Lingang, Dagang and Nangang industrial parks. Additionally, a new hydrogen filling center, aimed at supporting the low-carbon mobility market in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region is under construction in Tianjin Binhai District and is expected to be operational by the end of this year. 

Rui Coelho, Air Liquide China CEO, said:

As the Group's first project of its type in China, this ASU electrification at Air Liquide Tianjin Yongli represents a significant step, in line with Air Liquide's sustainability commitment. It is also a great example of how we bring competitive and reliable solutions for our customers to help them reduce carbon emissions from their production. We are pleased with initiatives like this in China that contribute to helping the country achieve its carbon neutrality ambitions.

Wei Yifeng, Chairman of YLC, said:

This ASU electrification project marks the latest achievement of the long-term partnership between Air Liquide and YLC, as well as a significant milestone in our joint green development journey. Moving forward, we'll keep up the professionalism and win-win spirit to explore more opportunities in the field of innovation and environment protection.