At 40 m long and weighing in at over 100 tons, a state-of-the-art German-engineered cold box is being transported to the Afrox site within the Coega IDZ, where it will be integrated with the rest of the R300-million air separation unit being developed by leading industrial gases and welding products company, Afrox.
The cold box utilises proprietary technology to cryogenically separate ambient air into nitrogen, oxygen and argon. The Afrox cold box will feature prominently as it makes its way from the Port of Ngqura to the Afrox site in the Coega IDZ. Afrox managing director Brett Kimber reveals that the ASU is the first-of-its-kind in Africa, and the company is proud to be establishing it in the Coega IDZ. “As an industry leader in the gas market, Afrox identified the Coega IDZ as the ideal base for establishing its regional ASU.” Kimber adds that the final phase of the project has commenced, with mechanical completion expected before the end of 2014 as planned. “We are confident that the new ASU will be operational early in the new year, in record time by any standards, for a project of this size.”
According to Kimber, this investment will be a catalyst for industrial growth in the Eastern Cape. “It will support the development and growth of the local economy, which will in turn lead to much needed job creation. More importantly, Afrox customers will continue to enjoy greater security of supply, complementing our total solutions services and extended product offering.” “Earlier this year construction of the R300 million Afrox air separation unit began in the Coega Industrial Development Zone. The arrival, transportation and installation of the new technological nerve center of the facility is an important project milestone,” said Dr. Ayanda Vilakazi, Coega Development Corporation’s Head of Marketing and Communication.
“The Afrox air separation plant, along with several other investment projects currently under construction worth R3 billion in the IDZ, is directly and indirectly advancing job creation and skills development in South Africa. It is also strengthening and illustrating the unique value positions of Nelson Mandela Bay as an important location for industrial economic activity. ”