Linde plc (Guildford, U.K.) has expanded its existing long-term agreement for the supply of industrial gases with Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), one of the largest steelmaking companies in India.
Linde currently supplies oxygen, nitrogen and argon to SAIL’s Rourkela steel plant in Odisha, eastern India, from two on-site air separation units (ASUs), which are operating at full capacity. Under the terms of the new agreement, Linde will now build, own and operate an additional 1,000 tons per day ASU, nearly doubling Linde’s on-site production at Rourkela. Linde’s investment is expected to be approximately $60 million.
Linde’s energy-efficient ASU will supply oxygen, nitrogen and argon to support SAIL’s expansion and modernization program at Rourkela. Expected to come online in 2026, Linde’s new facility will also supply industrial gases to Linde’s existing and new local merchant customers in the region.
“We look forward to supporting SAIL’s expansion, building on our track record of safely and reliably supplying industrial gases across three major sites,” said Moloy Banerjee, President ASEAN & South Asia, Linde. “This investment will also enhance Linde’s local network density in Odisha, enabling us to meet demand for industrial gases in one of the fastest growing regions in India.”