Plant Watch: February 2021

Plant Watch Linde to build world’s largest PEM electrolyzer in Germany January 14, 2021 — Linde plc (Guildford, U.K.; www.linde.com) will build, own and operate the world’s largest proton-exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer plant at the Leuna Chemical Complex in Germany. The new 24-MW electrolyzer will produce green hydrogen to supply Linde’s industrial customers through an existing pipeline network. The plant is due to start production in the second half of 2022. Asahi Kasei to build second production plant for microcrystalline cellulose January 14, 2021 — Asahi Kasei Corp. (Tokyo, Japan; www.asahi-kasei.co.jp) announced that its Specialty Solutions business unit will build a second plant for microcrystalline cellulose at its Mizushima Works site in Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan. This investment of ¥13 billion ($126 million) will double the company’s production capacity for these products. Asahi Kasei expects groundbreaking for the new site to take place in September 2021, with completion of the project planned in 2023.   Total and Engie to develop France’s largest green hydrogen site January 13, 2021 — Total SE (Paris, France; www.total.com) and Engie S.A. (Courbevoie, France; www.engie.com) have signed…