Air Liquide to invest $200M in Bay City POX unit for Oxea supply
- Air Liquide will invest 200 million US dollars to build a high‑efficiency Partial Oxidation (POX) unit in Bay City, Texas.
- The unit is scheduled to start operations at the beginning of 2029 and will produce large‑scale syngas and low‑carbon hydrogen.
- An original design including a CO2 recycling loop will recirculate CO2 into Oxea’s reactor and is expected to reduce the Group’s net CO2 emissions by about 64,000 tonnes per year.
- The facility will partially replace existing assets and support Oxea’s expansion of oxo‑alcohols and performance chemicals while expanding Air Liquide’s Gulf Coast footprint and pipeline network.
Project scope
Air Liquide will invest 200 million US dollars to build a new high‑efficiency Partial Oxidation (POX) unit at Oxea’s Bay City site in Texas. The unit is scheduled for start‑up at the beginning of 2029 and will provide large‑scale syngas and low‑carbon hydrogen to meet Oxea’s rising chemical demand and the expansion of its oxo‑alcohols and performance chemicals operations.
Technology and emissions
The plant uses an original design by Air Liquide’s engineering teams and features an innovative CO2 recycling loop that recirculates CO2 back into Oxea’s reactor to optimize syngas composition and production. The facility will partially replace some existing installations and is projected to reduce the Group’s net CO2 emissions by approximately 64,000 tonnes per year despite adding capacity.
Strategic footprint
By expanding its pipeline network and industrial footprint in the U.S. Gulf Coast, Air Liquide says it will support partners expanding in the United States and seize opportunities in key industrial basins with low‑carbon, competitive and reliable solutions.
Executive comment
Matthieu Giard, Group Executive Committee member overseeing Americas operations, said the project aligns industrial growth and efficiency with climate objectives, and that deploying new technologies and CO2 recycling in Bay City delivers improved reliability and efficiency for the customer.
Source: Air Liquide