Radnor, PA-based Airgas, No. 8 on Industrial Distribution's 2014 Big 50 List, announced Friday that it has signed a long-term agreement to build an air separation unit (ASU) to supply tonnage oxygen, nitrogen, and argon via pipeline to Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa, Inc., a subsidiary of Nucor Corporation, at its steel manufacturing plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
“We’re excited about our new partnership with Nucor and look forward to serving its gas needs in Tuscaloosa with our new, state-of-the-art atmospheric gas production facility,” said Airgas President and Chief Executive Officer Michael L. Molinini.
Airgas’ new large-scale ASU will be constructed adjacent to the existing Nucor facility and is expected to be on-stream in the spring of 2017. The ASU will also produce oxygen, nitrogen, and argon to support the region’s merchant bulk gas market. Construction is slated to start in September, and Airgas plans to open the plant in April 2017.
According to The Tuscaloosa News, Airgas will hire 28 employees for the new facility, with eight at the plant and 20 truck drivers.
“Airgas has been very responsive in understanding and formulating solutions to our gas supply needs and, through the new ASU, will provide Nucor with an innovative and highly reliable long-term supply system,” said Randy Skagen, Vice President and General Manager of Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa, Inc. “We look forward to a successful relationship with Airgas.”