On June 1, Jiaxing Iwatani Industrial Gases held an opening ceremony of general industrial gas project at Jiaxing Marriot Hotel. About 120 persons attended the ceremony including neighboring Japanese companies and Shanghai Consulate General as well as the people concerned of Iwatani and the companies and constructors in the same Industrial Complex.

The project was started In October 2019 to establish a hydrogen plant and the second air separation unit (ASU) in response to the expanding demand for air separation gases and hydrogen in the East China Region like Jiaxing and Shanghai at the same time. The hydrogen plant started operation in January of last year and the ASU in May of this year.

Crude hydrogen is supplied by pipeline from the neighboring Huahong New Material for purification and filling. It has a production capacity about 1,500Nm3/h with 11 gates.

The expanded ASU (made by SIAD) has a production capacity of 1,200Nm3/h for LO2, 7,500Nm3/h, 100Nm3/h for LAr and 300Nm3/h for GAr. Combining 270t/d with the 130t/h of the existing ASU, the capacity will be 400t/d in total. The opening ceremony could be held following the Chinese all-out relaxation of restrictions against Covit-19. So, Chinese music ensembles were played to raise a celebration mood. 　

Representing the organizer, Masaki Sonoda general manager of Jiaxing Iwatani explained the outline of the project, and said, “By the completion of new ASU, Jiaxing Iwatani’s output capacity of LN2 has become the largest plant in Zhejian as well as the region. It will contribute to the development in the cutting-edge area including semiconductors and fine chemicals. In addition, we have 11 filling gates, the largest in the region, receiving a popularity.” 　　

It was followed by the speech of Hiroshi Majima president of Iwatani, who said, “The relations between China and Iwatani have been fostered for years and now we feel real deepening of the history.” It was then followed by the speech of guests and the ribbon-cutting ceremony. After eye-setting ceremony of two lines, lion dancing was performed for celebration.　For closing, Takashi Kamekura representing Iwatani (China) said, “We wish to strive to expand more business in China in future.” A plant tour started then.