Air Products to expand its air separation unit operations at Big River Steel
by April 22, 2019 6:43 pm 905 views
Air Products announced Monday (April 22) an agreement to build, own, and operate a second air separation unit (ASU) to support Big River Steel’s expansion at its Osceola, Arkansas steel mill.
The new unit, scheduled to be on-stream in January 2021, adds to Air Products’ existing ASU at the same location and will provide oxygen, nitrogen and argon to both BRS and the merchant market. Additionally, the two companies’ current long-term industrial gas supply contract was extended several years.
Financial terms for the deal were not disclosed.
“One of our core company goals is to provide excellent customer service and we believe that a second ASU and contract extension with Big River is a good indication we are meeting that goal. Big River is a premier steel manufacturer and we are pleased to be a key contributor to their expansion plans at Osceola. Our ASU will be important to Big River’s operations and our expanded facility’s configuration will allow us to further enhance reliability of product supply to Big River and to increase our industrial gas supply to current and new merchant market customers,” said Marie Ffolkes, president, Americas at Air Products.
“Big River Steel is pleased with Air Products’ performance and I look forward to expanding our relationship as Big River Steel doubles its steel making capacity,” said Big River Steel’s Chief Executive Officer David Stickler.
The new facility will be capable of producing over 250 tons per day (TPD) of oxygen and additional quantities of liquid products, boosting Air Products’ liquid bulk business for the merchant market which is seeing regional growth in several segments including food, metals, construction and stainless-steel industries.
Air Products has supplied BRS since 2016. BRS announced in June 2018 that it is expanding its LEED-certified, Arkansas-based scrap recycling and steel production facility. The expansion will double Big River Steel’s hot-rolled steel production capacity to 3.3 million tons annually. In addition, the expansion will facilitate the company’s ability to produce higher grades of electrical steel, demand for which is expected to increase with continued focus on energy efficiency and the increase in hybrid and electric vehicle sales.
Air Products currently owns and operates over 300 air separation plants in over 40 countries worldwide in all types of applications. In addition to its plants, the company has sold, designed, and built more than 2,000 air separation plants globally. Air Products’ cryogenic offerings span a range of production capabilities, from plants with a capacity of 50 TPD, to single train facilities with oxygen production capacities beyond 4,000 TPD.