Air Liquide has agreed to invest €60m to fund a new state-of-the-art 1,400 t/d air separation unit set to start up in 2016 at the Port Pirie, Australia, production site of Nyrstar, an integrated mining and metals company.

The investment is part of a redevelopment project to convert Nyrstar's smelter into an advanced polymetallic recovery and recycling facility, which the French gases producer said will reduce the environmental footprint of the site and enhance both efficiency and production capabilities.

Air Liquide will supply oxygen and nitrogen to Nyrstar's new industrial process.

With this investment, the French gases producer is reinforcing its presence in Australia by expanding its offerings to Large Industry customers and affirming the value and competitiveness of its solutions, said François Venet, vice president, Asia Pacific, and a member of the company's executive committee.