Air Liquide and Dow renewed their industrial gas supply agreement in Stade, Germany, where Air Liquide said it will invest about $43 million to modernize its production assets, according to a Feb. 8 news release.

Plans are to add a new CO2 recycling solution to two air separation units and one partial oxidation plant. The addition will enable a circular use of the CO2 production, resulting in about a 15% increase in energy efficiency and emissions reduction of about 15,000 tonnes per year, the company said.

The emissions reduction represents about 80% of the Air Liquide site’s direct CO2 emissions.

“In view of the climate imperative, the necessary industrial transformation will require not only ground-breaking greenfield projects but also step-by-step modifications and modernization of existing plants,” said Emilie Mouren-Renouard, member of Air Liquide’s executive committee and CEO of the Europe Industries Hub.

The project is expected to be complete in 2024, said Air Liquide, which supplies industrial gases to Dow in Stade.