Air Products (NYSE:APD ), Lehigh Valley, Pa., has signed a
long-term contract with Weihe Clean Energy Company Limited, a subsidiary
of Shaan'xi Weihe Coal Chemical Group Ltd, one of China's
largest coal-based fertilizer and methanol producers, to supply onsite
gaseous oxygen and nitrogen for its phase three coal-to-chemicals
project in Weinan Hi-Tech Zone (WHTZ) in Weinan city, Shaan'xi
Province, Western China.
Air Products will build, own and operate a new air separation unit
(ASU) on Weihe's site near Xi'an, the capital city of
Shaan'xi Province. Scheduled to come on-stream towards the end of
2010, the ASU plant will produce more than 2,000 tons of oxygen per day.
In addition, Air Products will supply liquid bulk gases to the fast
growing merchant market around Xi'an.
Weihe Clean Energy Company Limited is a subsidiary established by
Shaan'xi Weihe Coal Chemical Group Ltd. It currently produces
methanol and dimethyl ether (DME) and will produce methanol, acetic acid
and acetic anhydride in its phase three expansion project. Weihe will
use the high-pressure oxygen in the coal gasification process to produce
syngas (synthesis gas), which can be further separated into carbon
monoxide (CO) and hydrogen. Syngas, CO and hydrogen are important
precursors to produce other basic chemicals such as ammonia, methanol
and acetic acid, which are essential in the production of a variety of
products including paints, adhesives, plastics, construction materials
and hundreds of other products for the growing consumer markets in
China.
"The success of our large scale projects in China demonstrates
our capabilities to help customers win with technology, efficiency and
low cost. By leveraging our global expertise and local resources, we are
in a very good position to execute these projects and meet our
customers' increasing requirements," said Howard Castle-Smith,
vice president of Tonnage Gases Asia, Air Products. "With this
contract and investment, we are gaining significant momentum in our
Tonnage Gases business to serve petrochemical and refinery customers in
China."
The new ASU will be designed and built primarily by Air
Products' engineering and manufacturing centers in China. In
addition to supplying Weihe, Air Products will expand its liquid product
capacity to provide a full range of atmospheric gases including oxygen.
nitrogen and argon for the fast growing area around Xi'an to meet
the growing demand of the electronics and general industries.
"We are honored to play a role in supporting the development
of the petrochemical industry in China," said Wilbur Mok, president
of Air Products Asia. "Our facility will be one of the first in
that region to produce liquid products. It puts us in a very competitive
position to meet the growing product demand that is driven by strong
economic and industrial development in the region, in a very
cost-effective and efficient way."
Air Products (NYSE:APD) serves customers in industrial, energy,
technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of
atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials,
and equipment and services. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built
leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials,
refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction,
and advanced coatings and adhesives. The company is recognized for its
innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and
the environment. Air Products has annual revenues of $10 billion,
operations in over 40 countries, and 22,000 employees around the globe.
For more information, visit www.airproducts.com or
www.airproducts.com.cn or call 852/286-0585.
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