Air Liquide, a global industrial gases provider, announced a significant investment of over $350 million in St. James Parish, Louisiana. The expansion includes a new air-separation unit at the Koch Methanol site and necessary pipeline upgrades along the Mississippi River to serve the Hyundai-POSCO Louisiana (HPLS) low-carbon steel facility. This project is expected to begin commercial operations in 2028.
The investment is part of a long-term supply agreement where Air Liquide will provide essential gases like oxygen, nitrogen, and argon, critical for low-carbon steel production. This initiative significantly expands the regional industrial infrastructure, paving the way for increased contractor and supplier opportunities in Greater New Orleans.
Air Liquide’s new facilities will be situated at the existing Koch Methanol location, with infrastructure improvements extending along the river corridor. The expansion marks a noteworthy enhancement to their existing network, which includes over 35 locations and a 500-mile statewide pipeline.
Key industry and government stakeholders, including Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and Greater New Orleans, Inc. CEO Michael Hecht, have highlighted the importance of this development. It underscores the state’s industrial investment potential and the strategic focus on low-carbon projects.
This $350 million project reinforces the Mississippi River corridor’s appeal to private industrial investors. It presents a strong signal of a robust industrial real estate market, influencing land values, utility capacities, and capabilities for future industrial projects in the area.
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