Air Liquide to Support Eastman Chemical Plant with New ASU

French industrial gases firm Air Liquide plans to build a new Air Separation Unit (ASU) and Partial Oxidation Unit (POX) as part of a new long-term supply agreement to provide gaseous oxygen, nitrogen, and syngas to Eastman Chemical’s facility in Longview, TX, the company announced in a release Wednesday.

“Air Liquide is pleased to further its longstanding relationship with Eastman with another significant investment at its Longview site in east Texas, the world’s single largest production facility of its type, and to further demonstrate Air Liquide’s ongoing commitment to deliver innovative technologies and safe, reliable and sustainable solutions for industry,” Michael J. Graff, executive vice president and executive committee member for Air Liquide Group, said in a statement.  

The $160 million project is expected to reach completion in late 2021. Air Liquide’s new assets will be integrated into its existing facilities at the site. Patented Lurgi technology will be used in the new POX to capture and recycle CO2.  

“This project and supply agreement reflect Eastman’s focus to invest in growth opportunities through strategic partnerships to create positive economic and environmental benefits,” Mark Costa, chairman and CEO of Eastman, said in the release. “Eastman has deep roots in the greater Longview area and remains one of the area’s largest employers after 70 years of operation in Harrison County.”