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R600 Million in ASU Investments for Port Elizabeth

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Welcoming a local R300 million invetment by Afrox in an Air Separation Unit the CEO of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, Kevin Hustler, said; “On behalf of the business community, we congratulate Afrox as long-standing members of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber on their very welcome investment into Nelson Mandela Bay. The investment shows confidence in the Eastern Cape market, to meet current needs, and also to plan to meet the demands of future growth.

“The planned Air Separation Unit is a key enabling service to industry for the security of the region’s gas supply into the future.

“The Chamber welcomes the additions of new technologies and job skills to build capacity for industrial development that is in line with the industrial development strategy of the Nelson Mandela Bay region and the Eastern Cape. We applaud the job creation possibilities of this project – temporary employment will be created during the construction phase, and permanent roles will have to be filled once the air separation unit is operational – and appreciate Afrox’s assurances that they will keep and maintain local employees, with a view to upskilling for sustainability.

“We salute companies such as Afrox for pursuing strategic investments not only to support their customers, but to support and develop Nelson Mandela Bay’s own potential for growth.”

The establishment of the Afrox 150 tonnes-per-day ASU (air separation unit) in Port Elizabeth, to service customers across the Eastern Cape region represents an investment of approximately R300 million. Afrox is an integrated gas company, differentiating itself in the local market by offering its customers an end-to-end solution that is fully integrated for each process. In practice, this means that customers can access the necessary consumables, equipment and gases, as well as on-site support and training, from a single supplier.

In conjunction with the 5 December 2012 30 year lease agreement between the Coega Development Corporation and Air Products the Port Elizabeth region can boast of R600 million investment in two Air Separation Units by two key national companies; Air Products and Afrox. (See: http://mype.co.za/new/2012/12/air-products-coega-investment-could-top-r300-million/)

Afrox MD Brett Kimber says the new Eastern Cape ASU has taken the lead from customer growth plans and is the culmination of a long-term plan to underpin security of future supply in the region. The company will break ground for this state-of-the-art installation later this year and expects to go into production by early 2015. The ASU will produce nitrogen, argon, oxygen and medical grade oxygen.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.