Air Liquide plans to invest over $160 million in new capacity and upgrades to support a long-term agreement under which the company will supply additional gaseous oxygen, nitrogen and syngas to Eastman Chemical’s Longview, Texas, facility.
The project includes construction of a new air separation unit (ASU) and a partial oxidation unit (POX), both slated for startup in late 2021.
The new POX, which will employ Air Liquide’s patented Lurgi technology syngas, will capture and recycle carbon dioxide. Eastman uses syngas at Longview as a feedstock for the production of propionaldehyde, isobutanol, n-butanol, and 2-ethylhexanol (2-EH).
“This project and supply agreement reflect Eastman’s focus to invest in growth opportunities through strategic partnerships to create positive economic and environmental benefits,” says Mark Costa, Eastman’s chairman and CEO.
By: Clay Boswell
Source: Chemical Week
The separation is expected to be completed by early Q3, following the receipt of all relevant approvals, including final Board approval. Nouryon intends to reduce its own debt with proceeds received from a planned external financing by Nobian.
Trinseo became a producer of the resin when it acquired Arkema’s PMMA business. It announced that it closed on the €1.14bn deal earlier this month.
As part of the EU’s Single-Use Plastic Directive (SUPD), it will become mandatory for caps and lids to remain attached to all beverage containers up to three liters in capacity from 2024.
