Secunda: Decarbonizing the world’s largest oxygen production site

[Roel ZANT Large Industries Commercial Director, Energy Director & Climate Champion at Air Liquide Africa, Middle East & India]

Air Liquide has a very long history in Secunda, South Africa, with activity going back more than 45 years together with Sasol. 

Since 2021, it is also where Air Liquide operates the largest oxygen production site in the world, delivering air gases and liquids to our customers and patients. 

And lastly, it is also a site for which we have very ambitious objectives, including a 30-40% reduction of the CO2 emissions by 2031.

Air Liquide is deploying several initiatives at the Secunda site to achieve its decarbonization objectives. 

First, Air Liquide is bringing more than 120 years of expertise in air separation to optimize the operational performance of the assets. 

But it goes further than that, Air Liquide is making significant investments in modernization and digital capabilities of the site to enhance the efficiency of the operations. 

By doing this, we will reduce the energy consumption which will in turn reduce the CO2 emissions. 

One of the major contributors to the decarbonization of our operations in Secunda is the procurement of massive amounts of Renewable Energy. 

Together with our customer and partner Sasol, we have already procured almost 690 MW of renewable energy through Power Purchase Agreements, out of which 400 MW will be allocated to the operations of Air Liquide in Secunda / South Africa. 

This will reduce Air Liquide's CO2 emissions by more than 1.2 million tonnes per year.

Climate action is at the heart of Air Liquide’s growth strategy, and we will continue to act for a sustainable future. 

Air Liquide is actively developing decarbonization initiatives across the Africa - Middle East - India region. 

For example, we are exploring power purchase agreements for renewable energy in India and actively looking for decarbonization opportunities in Northern Africa and the Middle East and Kazakhstan. 

Our ambition is to grow responsibly, and the Renewable Energy that we have secured in South Africa demonstrates Air Liquide's capability to work together with its customers and provide decarbonization solutions for both our assets and that of the customer.