ENERGY TRANSITION
Electrification and renewable energy in Tianjin
Using the right decarbonization levers depending on the site, in order to have the greatest impact – that is what Air Liquide has achieved in Tianjin, China. In less than two years, the Group has lowered CO2 emissions at two oxygen production sites in a major industrial basin. Two key steps were at the heart of the project: both sites modernized their assets to reduce energy and are now sourced of low-carbon electricity following the signature of a multi-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
This image illustrates a concrete industrial decarbonization project by Air Liquide for the benefit of an industrial customer (Yongli), via electrification and renewable supply solutions.
Project objective: Significantly reduce CO₂ emissions and water consumption at an industrial site through the electrification of two ASUs (Air Separation Units) installed by Air Liquide for its customer Yongli.
Measures implemented:
- Electrification to replace steam (from 2024)
Enables a reduction of 370,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year.
- Renewable energy supply (from 2025)
Brings an additional reduction of 430,000 tonnes of CO₂
Expected environmental results:
- Total reduction: -800,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year.
- -55% reduction in overall water consumption.
Air Liquide’s decarbonization strategy includes three main levers: asset modernization, sourcing of massive amounts of low-carbon electricity and deployment of carbon capture and storage technologies at its plants.
In Tianjin, the Group was able to combine two of these levers in a project carried out with its customer, Tianjin Bohua Yongli Chemical Industry, as part of the renewal of industrial gas supply for two air separation units (ASUs) that produce 4,000 tonnes of oxygen every day, mainly for the chemicals sector.
Step one was to electrify the site, which was previously powered by steam produced by coal based boilers. Besides reducing the carbon footprint by 370,000 tonnes of CO2 a year, this also cut water consumption by over half.
Step two was accomplished at the end of 2024 with the signature of a multi-year PPA, paving the way for CO2 to be reduced annually by a further 430,000 tonnes starting in January 2025. In total, the two projects will bring down the carbon footprint by 800,000 tonnes of CO2 every year.
Record volumes of low-carbon and renewable electricity secured in 2024 under PPAs
In 2024, Air Liquide signed a record amount of multi-year power purchase agreements across Asia, Europe, and South America, adding more than 2,500 GWh per year of low-carbon and renewable electricity to previously secured capacities. These PPAs, most of which are effective from January 2025, will allow Air Liquide to decarbonize its existing plants and support the Group's future decarbonized growth. Adding to previously signed PPAs, this marks an additional significant step towards Air Liquide's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.