Under a framework agreement, Linde will complete design and engineering for a world-scale air separation and autothermal reformer complex, which it will own and operate. This complex will be integrated with Linde's existing operations in Fort Saskatchewan.

"Linde's partnership is critical in enabling Dow to advance its plans to decarbonize our Fort Saskatchewan site while growing our business," said Edward Stones, Dow's business vice president, energy and climate. "Our customers are looking to Dow to help lower the carbon footprint of their products, and this is an important step in that direction."

Dow said the proposed complex would decarbonize approximately 20% of its global ethylene capacity while growing its global PE supply by about 15%. The production process at the site will convert cracker off-gas into hydrogen as a clean fuel to be used for producing ethylene, and CO₂ will be captured onsite to be transported and stored by adjacent third-party infrastructure providers.

Announced in October 2021, the project will add about 1.8 million t/y of ethylene capacity in stages through 2030, together with about 3.2 million t/y of PE and ethylene derivatives.

The companies expect to take their final investment decisions — which remain subject to approval by both boards of directors and various regulatory agencies – in the fourth quarter of 2023, for a potential startup of the first phase in 2027.

In February, US-based contractor Fluor won a reimbursable contract to provide front-end engineering and design (FEED) and engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) services for the project.

Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist