At the forefront of many hydrogen-related headlines this year, Air Liquide told us what’s been ‘hot’ in hydrogen; incredibly busy throughout 2019, Dohmeyer showed no signs of slowing down in 2020 as the company revealed products it plans to launch next year; and INOXCVA said mega M&A in the Indian industrial gases sector was its 2019 highlight.
Today’s interview is with Air Products, who this year broke ground on its new headquarters in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania; with Saudi Aramco inaugurated the first hydrogen refuelling station in Saudi Arabia; and achieved mechanical completion of the world’s largest industrial gas complex in Jazan.
Seifi Ghasemi, Chairman, President and CEO of Air Products, tells us more about the company’s 2019 below.
Gasworld (GW): What have been the top three highlights for Air Products this year?
Seifi Ghasemi (SG):
• 37th consecutive year of dividend increase
• Continued to execute gasification strategy:
- Confirmed final negotiations to form $11.5bn joint venture to acquire the gasification/power/industrial gas assets at Jazan Economic City, Saudi Arabia
- Closed on GE gasification technology acquisition
- Announced new China gasification project with Debang
• Continued to win and successfully execute base business projects around the world
GW: What are some interesting projects Air Products has worked on in 2019?
SG: In February, achieving mechanical completion of the largest industrial gas complex in the world in Jazan, Saudi Arabia.
If successful completion of the plant, with its remote location and regional climate challenges was not enough, the Air Products team completed the world-scale complex without a lost time injury in 25 million worker hours.
In June, inaugurating with Saudi Aramco the first hydrogen refuelling station in Saudi Arabia at Air Products’ new Technology Center in the Dhahran Techno Valley Science Park.
Source: Air Products
The pilot station will fuel an initial fleet of six Toyota Mirai fuel cell electric vehicles with high-purity compressed hydrogen.
In August, completing the acquisition of General Electric Company’s (GE) gasification business from GE Power.
In October, confirming Air Products was in final negotiations to form a joint venture with Saudi Aramco, ACWA Power and Air Products Qudra to acquire the gasification, power and industrial gas assets at Jazan Economic City, representing a total investment value of about $11.5bn.
GW: What are the hot topics from 2019?
SG:
- Executing on our gasification strategy
- Excellence in large project execution
- Growth in China, Middle East, India (project wins, world-class manufacturing/technology/engineering centres)
GW: Safety and sustainability are at the heart of Air Products’ business. How will the company continue to improve on this moving into 2020?
SG: We are building a culture of safety, simplicity, speed, and self-confidence. Our goal is zero accidents and zero incidents.
We are committed to improving our own performance by operating safely and efficiently, incorporating environmental considerations into the design of our facilities and products, effectively managing environmental risks, and transparently communicating our environmental performance.
Source: Air Products
We continue to invest in research to develop products and processes that help our customers improve their sustainability performance through higher productivity, better quality products, reduced energy use, and lower emissions.
This all points out to Air Products’ striving to meet it’s “higher purpose” defined as: Our higher purpose is to create a company where people feel they belong, and their contributions are recognised and valued. A company that promotes collaboration among people of different cultures and backgrounds. A company that is committed to sustainability and supportive of the communities in which we operate. A company that our people want to work for, where they are proud to be part of the innovative process to solve the energy and environmental challenges facing the human race.
GW: What will Air Products be focusing on in 2020?
SG:
- Gasification
- CO2 capture
- Hydrogen mobility
The 2019 in Review Series continues tomorrow with Christoph Schoeler, CEO of Albatross Tank-Leasing.