- Messer plans to start a CO2 recovery plant in Austria by early 2024.
- The plant will use BASF's OASE blue technology to recover CO2 from flue gas.
- Recovered CO2 will be refined to food grade quality for supply in Western Austria and nearby regions.
- CO2 is a key raw material in the food industry, often sourced as a by-product from ammonia production.
Project Overview
Messer, the world's largest privately held industrial gases specialist, is set to launch a carbon dioxide (CO2) recovery plant in Austria by early 2024. The plant will utilize BASF’s OASE® blue technology to recover CO2 from the flue gas of an industrial company. The recovered CO2 will undergo purification processes to make it available for reuse.
Supply Chain Impact
The refined CO2 will be brought up to food grade quality, enhancing supply reliability in Western Austria, South Tyrol, Eastern Switzerland, and Bavaria. Messer already supplies many customers in these regions with CO2, and the new plant will enable shorter supply routes using tank trucks. This development is particularly significant for the food industry, where CO2 is a crucial raw material often sourced as a by-product from ammonia production.
Technological Collaboration
Dr. Tarek El Hawary, Chief Technology Officer at Messer, highlighted the company's expertise in plant and equipment construction combined with BASF’s OASE blue technology. This collaboration allows Messer to build and operate energy-efficient, economical production facilities that recycle CO2. Andreas Northemann, head of BASF’s global gas treatment activities, emphasized the reliability and low energy demand of the OASE blue technology, expressing pride in working with Messer on this sustainable project.
