Air Products, the company that supplies process, atmospheric and specialty gases, has signed a contract with Hebei Yangmei Zhengyuan Chemical Group’s wholly owned subsidiary, Cangzhou Zhengyuan Fertilizer. As per the contract, Air Products will construct, own and manage an air separation unit (ASU) and integrated gas liquefier in China’s Hebei region.
The daily capacity of the ASU is 2000 t of gaseous oxygen. The generated oxygen will be supplied to Cangzhou Zhengyuan’s Hebei fertilizer plant for gasifier operations. The ASU facility will also cater to the Hebei region’s expanding market for merchant gases with liquid product. For this purpose, a bulk terminal facility for the liquid will be installed at this site. Air Products will also provide enhancements to the ASU design for cutting operating costs by energy efficient production.
Steve Jones, President of China Operations for Air Products, expressed pleasure at winning the contract from Cangzhou Zhengyuan. He stated that the installation of the ASU facility at Hebei in China will help Air Products to meet their objectives pertaining to their strategy for China operations. Jones relocated to Shanghai a year back in alignment with the company’s strategy to capitalize on growth opportunities in emerging economies and hasten the company’s development in these markets. Air Products set up operations in China in 1987 and has already secured a significant stronghold in the Chinese market and caters to a wide range of industries through its 2200 strong employee base. Liu Jincheng, President of Hebei Yangmei Zhengyuan Chemical Group, stated that Cangzhou Zhengyuan hoped to consolidate its leading position in synthetic ammonia, coal gasification and urea industries through the technology and expertise support extended by Air Products.