Praxair, Inc. (Danbury, Conn.; www.praxair.com) has started up its second air-separation plant and is extending its pipeline system in the Port of Antwerp, one of the largest petrochemical production complexes in the world.
The new 1,300-ton-per-day plant increases Praxair’s oxygen and nitrogen capacity in the Port and will support customers with long-term contracts. The new facility also produces liquid oxygen, nitrogen and argon that will meet customer demand in the pharmaceutical, chemical, glass, metal fabrication, manufacturing and food & beverage industries in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Praxair has also started construction of additional oxygen and nitrogen pipeline extensions on the east and west banks of the Port, which are expected to be finished by the end of 2016.
“We continue to grow our industrial gas capacity and pipeline network in Belgium and the Netherlands to better serve customers in the region,” said Frank Wegmann, managing director of Praxair Germany and Benelux. “The Port of Antwerp is the largest chemical and petrochemical complex in Europe and continues to make additional investments in its infrastructure to expand capacity. Praxair is well-positioned to grow with the Port given the investments we have made.”