Praxair, Inc. and BASF signed a long-term agreement for Praxair to design, build, own, and operate a new syngas processing plant at BASF’s facility in Geismar, Louisiana, US.
The new plant will start up in 2020, producing high-purity carbon monoxide and hydrogen from a stream of crude synthesis gas. Carbon monoxide is a raw material in the production of a range of specialty chemicals. Hydrogen is used to produce several chemical intermediates and clean fuels from refineries.
Coupled with an earlier investment that Praxair announced in April 2016, this will bring the company’s total new investment in the Geismar area to approximately US$250 million.
“I am very pleased to announce this new value-creating project in Geismar as we continue to expand our operations in the US Gulf Coast,” said Dan Yankowski, president, Global Hydrogen at Praxair. “We understand the important role that this new plant will play in BASF’s growth and are committed to supporting that success by reliably supplying their operations over the long term.”