Air Liquide is investing some $230 million to redevelop its Bayport, Texas, complex by 2015. Work is focusing on upgrades to the site's cogeneration units capable of generating both steam and electricity, with a minimum amount of wasted heat.

Much of the Air Liquide's excess steam and power produced at Bayport has already been contracted to Rotterdam-headquartered chemical producer LyondellBasell, one of industrial gases producer's neighbors and customers, but it expects to have additional capacity to sell to other customers throughout the region.