Oxea, Air Liquide Extend German Supply Agreement Through 2038

Oxea and Air Liquide on May 18 announced a 12-year contract extension for the supply of synthesis gas and hydrogen at Oxea’s Industrial Park Ruhrchemie Oberhausen site in Germany. The agreement includes an investment of more than €20 million by Air Liquide to modernize its existing partial oxidation unit to support long-term operational reliability and feedstock supply for oxo chemicals production.

According to the companies, the Oberhausen site is one of Oxea’s most integrated production hubs and Air Liquide’s largest production hub in Germany. Air Liquide’s partial oxidation plant has a production capacity of 340,000 metric tons per year of syngas and hydrogen, supporting production of oxo intermediates and downstream performance chemicals used in coatings, lubricants, cosmetics and pharmaceutical applications.

The companies said the contract renewal is intended to strengthen supply reliability, improve asset utilization and support expansion of Oxea’s higher-value downstream chemical portfolio. Air Liquide also noted that its carbon capture and liquefaction project connected to the partial oxidation unit has reduced carbon dioxide emissions from the site by 50% since 2021, with captured CO₂ repurposed for the food and beverage industry.

“The renewal of this contract reaffirms the critical role of long-term partnerships in ensuring the stability and growth of our production processes,” Albrecht Schwerin, chief operating officer at Oxea said in a statement. “We value the close cooperation with Air Liquide, which enables us to maintain the highest standards of safety and efficiency while driving forward innovative projects.”

Jorge Castro Roldan, vice president of global procurement at OXEA, said the agreement supports the company’s oxo intermediates platform and downstream growth strategy by securing more reliable feedstock supply and enabling additional value creation opportunities.

Air Liquide said the modernization investment reinforces its long-term commitment to the Oberhausen chemical complex and industrial gas infrastructure in Germany. The upgraded operations are intended to support continued syngas and hydrogen production reliability while improving operational performance.

The agreement follows other recent investments by Air Liquide tied to industrial decarbonization and hydrogen infrastructure. In December 2025, the company announced plans to invest about $29 million to electrify and expand an air separation unit in Yulin, China, a project expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 550,000 metric tons annually as lower-carbon electricity sourcing increases.

Air Liquide also renewed that month a partnership with Hyundai Motor Group to expand hydrogen production, transport and fueling infrastructure across Europe, South Korea and the United States, with a focus on heavy-duty mobility and logistics applications.