Air Products, a US-based industrial gases company, has revealed its plan to construct two new carbon monoxide (CO) production plants in Texas.
The plants, which will be located in La Porte and Texas City, will have a capacity of more than 70 million standard cubic feet per day of CO. The facilities will be connected to Air Products’ existing Gulf Coast CO pipeline network, which serves customers in the petrochemical and refining sectors. The company has also signed long-term CO supply agreements with LyondellBasell and Eastman Chemical Company.
The two new CO production plants will enable Air Products to meet the growing demand for CO in the region, according to Marie Ffolkes, president of the Americas at Air Products. The company is investing in CO production because it is a key component for producing a variety of chemicals, including acetic acid, methanol, and ammonia.
In addition to the CO production plants, Air Products is also investing in green hydrogen production facilities in Texas. The company plans to invest $4 billion to build, operate, and own a mega-scale green hydrogen production facility in Wilbarger County, Texas. The facility is expected to produce over 200 metric tons per day of green hydrogen using wind and solar energy. The renewable power to hydrogen project will include around 1.4 gigawatts of renewable electricity and is slated to begin commercial operations in 2027.
The investment in green hydrogen is part of Air Products’ efforts to decarbonize its operations and support its customers in achieving their sustainability goals. “Air Products is committed to reducing our carbon footprint and helping our customers do the same,” said Seifi Ghasemi, Chairman, President, and CEO of Air Products. “Green hydrogen is a key enabler in the energy transition, and our project in Texas is another example of our commitment to building a sustainable future.”
The demand for green hydrogen is on the rise as companies seek to reduce their carbon emissions and transition to cleaner energy sources. The use of green hydrogen in the mobility and industrial sectors is expected to increase significantly in the coming years, providing new opportunities for companies like Air Products.
Potential challenges for Air Products include the availability and cost of renewable energy sources, as well as the development of the necessary infrastructure to transport and store hydrogen. However, the company’s investment in green hydrogen production facilities and its existing CO pipeline network demonstrate its commitment to driving the transition to a more sustainable future.
