The groundbreaking ceremony for the Air Liquide Energy Storage and Air Separation Project was held in Zhangjiagang on Jan 9, marking the start of construction on the world's largest single air separation unit project in the metallurgical industry. 

Since establishing a presence in Zhangjiagang in 2004, Air Liquide Group, a French global leader in gas technology for industry and health, has invested a total of $330 million in the construction of three plants. 

The energy storage and air separation project, with an investment of $150 million, plans to expand the world's largest and most advanced ?100,000-grade air separation unit? in the steel industry. It will combine cutting-edge energy storage and air separation technologies, achieving intelligent operation and significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions compared to traditional processes. 

Upon completion, the project is expected to produce over 4.89 million metric tons of various gases and gas mixtures annually, including high-end specialty gases such as krypton, xenon, neon, and helium. At full production capacity, it is projected to generate 1.5 billion yuan ($215.09 million) in annual sales revenue. 

The event also witnessed the signing of a low-carbon metallurgy strategic cooperation agreement between Air Liquide Group and Shagang Group, a global leader in steel material manufacturing based in Zhangjiagang. The two parties aim to engage in deep collaboration on the research, development, and application of low-carbon metallurgy technologies, as well as the circular economy and energy optimization. 

Valadou Joan, consul general of France in Shanghai, said that the Zhangjiagang production base will become a pioneer in low-carbon metallurgical solutions, supplying critical gases to high-end industries such as semiconductors and advanced manufacturing. This is expected to reinforce its lead in the high-end industrial gas sector and enhance Sino-French economic and trade cooperation. 

As a key hub in the Yangtze River Delta region and one of Forbes China's Best Cities for Business, Zhangjiagang has developed two major advantageous industrial clusters in metallurgy and chemical new materials, with output values exceeding 220 billion yuan and 77 billion yuan, respectively. 

An aerial view of Zhangjiagang. [Photo/VCG]