India witnesses the launch of Air Water's Advanced Sterilization Unit (ASU) as opportunities in hydrogen technology emerge.

Air Water India, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Air Water, has commenced production at a new air separation unit (ASU) in Chennai, India. The facility, located in Tamil Nadu, produces approximately 230 tonnes per day of liquefied gas, including 175 tonnes of liquid oxygen, 48 tonnes of liquid nitrogen, and 8.6 tonnes of liquid argon.

This significant investment of $18.8m is part of Air Water's commitment to meeting the growing demand for industrial gases in India. The electronics sector, in particular, has been a key driver, with India exceeding $20bn in electronics exports within the first nine months of FY 2023-24.

In line with its sustainability goals, Air Water India plans to reduce carbon dioxide emissions at the plant by 20,000 tonnes per year. This will be achieved by using solar energy to power around 40% of the facility's operations. Recycled CO2 from the plant will also be sold in the form of dry ice.

Looking beyond India, Air Water, through a joint venture with Kanto Natural Gas Development Company, plans to build a hydrogen production plant in Japan. The plant, to be located in Chiba Prefecture, will be Air Water's third such plant in the Kanto area. The facility is expected to produce approximately 570 tonnes of hydrogen per year using natural gas as feedstock, with the hydrogen produced having less than 3.4kg CO2 per kg of gas produced, making it low carbon.

Air Water's commitment to sustainability is further demonstrated by its plans to build a compressed hydrogen plant in Mobara City, Japan, scheduled to start operation in May 2027. Air Water Green Design, a subsidiary of Air Water, will sell the hydrogen produced by the plant.

The company's initiatives in Japan are not the only signs of its commitment to reducing carbon emissions. In 2019, Air Water expanded its presence in India by acquiring the industrial gas businesses in East India from Praxair India and Linde India's southern region divestments. The new ASU in Chennai is a testament to this expansion.

Moreover, the plant will be fitted with a device capable of recovering 3,400 tonnes of CO2 per year, further contributing to Air Water's efforts in carbon reduction. The project is a response to growing demand for electronics and future energy demand, aligning with India's active development of its semiconductor industry through programs similar to the US Chips Act.

Air Water marked its entry into India in 2013 and set up its local unit, Air Water India, in 2014. Since then, it has been consistently working towards meeting India's growing demand for industrial gases, particularly in the steel industry, valued at over $100bn. With the new ASU in Chennai, Air Water continues to strengthen its position in the Indian market, while also making strides in sustainable production.

India witnesses the launch of Air Water's Advanced Sterilization Unit (ASU) as opportunities in hydrogen technology emerge.