Industrial and speciality gas company Air Products South Africa’s R300-million air separation plant would bolster industrial growth and attract new investments into the Coega industrial development zone (IDZ), in the Eastern Cape, said Air Products MD Mike Hellyar during the unveiling of the air separation plant’s 32 m, 56 t cold box, earlier this month.

The plant, which is scheduled for completion and commissioning in the third and fourth quarters of this year respectively, will produce 110 t of liquid oxygen and nitrogen a day to enhance the Eastern Cape’s industrial infra-structure by introducing a secure supply of industrial gases.

“Constructing a plant of this nature has its risks and challenges but it is a symbol of our commitment to ensure the security of supply of industrial gases in the Eastern Cape. Our strategy is to invest in similar regions to facilitate industrial growth,” he stated.

Coega Development Corporation (CDC) busi- ness development executive manager Christopher Mashigo lauded Air Products for its investment in the Coega IDZ and expressed appreciation for the company’s confidence in the region at a time when national investments were softening.

He added that Air Products’ investment in the plant would hopefully demonstrate to future investors that the IDZ was an opportune area for investment.

Hellyar stressed that the plant was a long-term investment in the region and he expected that the investments would help create jobs.

The plant is currently in the mechanical and installation phase and has the capacity to scale up to meet future growth in market demand.

Air Product’s investment aims to stimulate the growth of local businesses through their adoption of industrial gases.

“We have many industrial gas applications to offer the various industries in the region to help drive efficiencies. The air separation technology is the first of its kind in the Eastern Cape and we trust that we will create a competitive supply of industrial gases,” Hellyar said.

Air Products on-site GM Robert Richardson further highlighted that the plant was a feat of engineering excellence that showcased South African-driven technological innovation.

He added that the new plant incorporated technological innovations and the latest available air separation technology designed for optimal energy efficiency and maximum product output capacity.

Air separation was an energy-intensive pro-cess and improving power efficiency was a key imperative for the company amid the recent rise of energy costs, Richardson stated.

“The plant represents the best in cryogenic air separation. The heat exchangers and distillation systems are designed for the lowest possible pressure drop and, therefore, the lowest energy consumption. “The distillation system is capable of achieving the highest purity specifications required for medical and industrial gases.”

The use of computer-aided engineering tools, such as computational fluid dynamics and finite element software to improve rotating equipment design, allowed for higher equipment efficiencies and reduced electricity consumption, Richardson said.

The plant will service diverse sectors, includ-ing automotive manufacturing, pharma- ceuticals, agroprocessing, food and beverage, and renewable energy.