Air Liquide invests over $200M in POX syngas unit at Oxea Bay City, Texas

Key highlights
  • Investment of over $200 million to expand Oxea's Bay City, Texas manufacturing site.
  • New Partial Oxidation (POX) unit to start operations at the beginning of 2029 and produce large‑scale syngas and low‑carbon hydrogen.
  • Unit features an original Air Liquide POX design with a CO2 recycling loop that feeds CO2 back into the reactor to optimise syngas.
  • Net CO2 emissions expected to fall by approximately 64,000 tonnes per year while overall production capacity increases.

Investment and scope

The Air Liquide Group will invest over 200 million US dollars to expand production capabilities at Oxea's chemical manufacturing site in Bay City, Texas. The expansion centers on a new Partial Oxidation (POX) unit featuring an original design by Air Liquide's engineering teams to support Oxea's oxo‑alcohols and performance chemicals operations.

Capacity and schedule

Scheduled to begin operations at the beginning of 2029, the POX unit will provide reliable, large‑scale production of syngas and low‑carbon hydrogen to meet growing chemical demand and to increase site production capacity.

CO2 recycling and emissions impact

The unit incorporates a carbon dioxide recycling loop that recirculates CO2 back into Oxea's reactor to optimise syngas composition and production. By partially replacing existing facilities with this more efficient design, the Group expects to reduce net CO2 emissions by approximately 64,000 tonnes per year while expanding output.

Source: Air Liquide