Air Liquide Launches ASU in Schwarzheide
- Air Liquide invested 40 million euros in the new plant near BASF's facility.
- The construction took 24 months and 320,000 working hours.
- The ASU produces oxygen, nitrogen, and CO2-free compressed air.
- The unit supports industries like automotive, food, metal, and semiconductor.
Investment and Construction
Air Liquide has officially opened its new air separation unit (ASU) at the BASF site in Schwarzheide, Germany. The company invested around 40 million euros in the construction of the plant, which was completed in 24 months, involving 320,000 working hours. The ASU is situated on a 12,000-square-meter site and is designed to produce oxygen, nitrogen, and CO2-free compressed air, essential for the production of battery materials.
Industrial Impact
The new ASU will also produce liquid products for other industries, including automotive, food, metal, and semiconductor sectors. This development is expected to strengthen the reliable supply of industrial gases to customers in Germany and Poland. Additionally, the optimization of truck routes in the region will reduce the number of kilometers traveled, benefiting the environment.
Strategic Importance
Brandenburg's Minister of Economic Affairs, Jörg Steinbach, highlighted the significance of the new ASU for the region's industrial base, particularly for the E-mobility sector. The facility is expected to enhance the competitiveness of the industrial location of Lausitz and support the future demand for battery materials. The integration of renewable energies, energy efficiency, and battery recycling at the Schwarzheide site is also noteworthy.
Technical Details
The air separation process involves sucking in, cleaning, compressing, and cooling the surrounding air. The core of the unit is the coldbox, where air is cooled to -180 to -190 degrees to reach a liquid state, making separation easier. Air Liquide operates a total of 22 air separation units at 15 locations across Germany.