Linde LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Linde North America, Inc., has broken ground for construction of a new industrial gases liquefier in La Porte, Texas. The plant will produce liquid oxygen, nitrogen and argon at the recently announced air separation unit (ASU) Linde is building at the site.
Scott Latta, vice president of the south and west regions for Linde LLC, said, “The La Porte liquefier will give us the size and operating efficiencies we need to meet the rapidly growing demand in the Houston Ship Channel area.” The liquid oxygen, nitrogen and argon produced at the plant will be delivered by tanker truck to customers ranging from manufacturers of chemical and petrochemical products to food processors, metal fabricators, metal heat treaters, independent gases and welding distributors, and healthcare providers.
Linde recently broke ground on a large, state-of-the art ASU plant in La Porte. The ASU, part of a $200 million Linde investment that will also include a gasification train and supporting equipment and facilities, will be the largest such Linde plant in the U.S. When the plant comes on-stream in the first quarter of 2015, Linde operations at the site will employ more than 50 people.
“Until the liquefier comes on stream, we’ll continue to serve customers from nearby Linde plants in Texas and Louisiana,” Latta said. “When completed, the plant will bring product closer to our customers which will improve their supply security and reduce Linde’s carbon footprint.”
The La Porte ASU Plant will use less electricity by taking advantage of the latest design technology from Linde Engineering. The La Porte ASU Plant’s close proximity to Linde customers will also result in less fuel consumption by Linde’s delivery trucks.
Linde North America Inc. is a member of the Linde Group, a world-leading gases and engineering company with around 62,000 employees in more than 100 countries worldwide. In the 2012 financial year, Linde generated revenue of EUR 15.280 bn (USD 19.9 bn). The strategy of the Group is geared towards long-term profitable growth and focuses on the expansion of its international business with forward-looking products and services. Linde acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners, employees, society and the environment – in every one of its business areas, regions and locations across the globe. The company is committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development.