Air Liquide to Build in the USA its Largest Biomethane Production Unit in the World

Rhea-AI Summary

Air Liquide is expanding its biomethane production capabilities with the construction of its largest facility in Rockford, Illinois, expected to produce 380 GWh of biomethane annually, increasing its global capacity to 1.8 TWh. The facility will utilize biogas from waste treatment, supporting the company's commitment to low-carbon solutions for the industrial and transportation sectors.

Another unit in Delavan, Wisconsin is also set to begin operations in Q2 2022, solidifying Air Liquide's position as a significant biomethane player in North America.

Positive

• Construction of the largest biomethane production unit boosts Air Liquide's capacity to 1.8 TWh.
• The Rockford facility is projected to produce 380 GWh annually, enhancing sustainability efforts.
• Utilization of biogas from solid waste aligns with low-carbon solution strategies.

Negative

• Potential operational risks associated with the new facility's startup and integration into existing infrastructure.

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

Air Liquide (Paris:AI) continues its development of biomethane activities with the construction in the USA of its largest biomethane production unit in the world. This will bring the worldwide biomethane production capacity of the Group to 1.8 TWh. The new production unit in the State of Illinois will allow Air Liquide to keep providing low-carbon solutions to its customers in the industrial and transportation sectors and to accompany them in the reduction of their emissions.

Located in Rockford, Illinois, the new production unit will produce biomethane from biogas from a solid waste treatment plant, owned and operated by Waste Connections Inc. It will have a production capacity of 380 GWh per year, which represents the largest production capacity per plant for the Group. It will be operational by the end of 2023. Another biomethane production unit from another landfill is also being built in Delavan, Wisconsin, and will be operational at the beginning of Q2 2022. Thanks to these two new units, Air Liquide is becoming a significant biomethane production player in the U.S. to accompany its customers from the industrial and transportation sectors in the USA and in Canada.

Air Liquide has developed competencies throughout the whole biomethane value chain, from biogas production from waste, to its purification into biomethane, liquefaction, storage, and transportation to distribution. For these two projects, Air Liquide will use, in addition to its own membrane technology, a complementary technology developed by Waga Energy, a company specialized in the valorization of biogas from landfill sites, founded in 2015 and supported by ALIAD, the Group’s capital venture fund.

Globally, Air Liquide now has 21 biomethane operational production units in the world for a yearly production capacity of about 1.4 TWh. After the commissioning of the two new Rockford and Delavan plants, the Group’s biomethane production capacity will reach 1.8 TWh per year.

Émilie Mouren-Renouard, Member of the Air Liquide Executive Committee, in charge of Innovation, Digital and IT, Intellectual Property and Global Markets & Technologies World Business Unit, said: “ Biomethane, like hydrogen and CO₂ capture technologies, has a prominent place in the portfolio of solutions developed by Air Liquide to fight global warming and preserve the environment. The announcement of the construction of our largest biomethane production unit in the world illustrates Air Liquide’s determination to accompany its customers in the industrial and transportation sectors throughout the energy transition, but also to actively contribute to the emergence of a low-carbon society. ”

A world leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health, Air Liquide is present in 78 countries with approximately 64,500 employees and serves more than 3.8 million customers and patients. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen are essential small molecules for life, matter and energy. They embody Air Liquide’s scientific territory and have been at the core of the company’s activities since its creation in 1902.

Air Liquide’s ambition is to be a leader in its industry, deliver long term performance and contribute to sustainability - with a strong commitment to climate change and energy transition at the heart of its strategy. The company’s customer-centric transformation strategy aims at profitable, regular and responsible growth over the long term. It relies on operational excellence, selective investments, open innovation and a network organization implemented by the Group worldwide. Through the commitment and inventiveness of its people, Air Liquide leverages energy and environment transition, changes in healthcare and digitization, and delivers greater value to all its stakeholders.

Air Liquide’s revenue amounted to more than 20 billion euros in 2020. Air Liquide is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange (compartment A) and belongs to the CAC 40, EURO STOXX 50 and FTSE4Good indexes.

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Source: Air Liquide

FAQ

What is the significance of Air Liquide's new biomethane production unit in Rockford, Illinois?

The new unit is Air Liquide's largest biomethane facility, adding 380 GWh to its global production capacity, which will reach 1.8 TWh.

When will Air Liquide's biomethane production unit in Delavan, Wisconsin be operational?

The Delavan facility is expected to be operational by the beginning of Q2 2022.

How does Air Liquide's biomethane production contribute to sustainability?

The biomethane production supports low-carbon solutions in the industrial and transportation sectors, aiding in emissions reduction.

What technologies are used in Air Liquide's biomethane projects?

Air Liquide utilizes its membrane technology along with innovations from Waga Energy for biogas valorization.