Air Products to build, own, and operate second ASU for Big River Steel in Arkansas

Air Products, Lehigh Valley, Pa., has announced an agreement to build, own, and operate a second air separation unit (ASU) to support Big River Steel LLC's expansion at its Osceola, Ark., steel mill. The new ASU, scheduled to be onstream in January 2021, adds to Air Products' existing ASU at the same location and will provide oxygen, nitrogen, and argon to both Big River Steel and the merchant market. Additionally, the two companies' current long-term industrial gas supply contract was extended several years.

The new facility will be capable of producing more than 250 tons per day of oxygen and additional quantities of liquid products. Air Products has supplied Big River Steel at Osceola from a dedicated ASU since 2016.