Messer has commissioned an argon production plant based on unused residual gases from the ammonia synthesis process at the Duslo site in Šaľa, Slovakia. Duslo, a.s. is one of Slovakia’s leading chemical companies. The construction of this plant, Messer’s first of its kind, represents a further expansion of the company’s sphere of operations.

Argon is a noble gas that is used, among other things, as a shielding gas in welding. It is one of the residual gases produced in the ammonia synthesis process, along with methane, nitrogen and syngas. These gases are also recovered at the plant in line with the customer’s quality requirements. “This project allowed us to demonstrate our technical competence in delivering innovative solutions. The fact that we are now producing high-quality argon on site in Slovakia also increases the security of supply for our customer,” says Michal Pa’la, Managing Director of Messer in Slovakia. From a technical point of view, the plant’s main features include a fully automated process as well as maximum energy integration. When operating at full capacity, the plant allows CO₂ emissions to be reduced by 1.4 metric tons a day thanks to the shorter distances involved in truck deliveries. This equates to an annual total of around 500 metric tons of CO₂ that is not released into the atmosphere as a climate-damaging greenhouse gas.

“This investment will allow us to increase our argon capacities and thus further strengthen our market position in this segment,” says Johann Ringhofer, CTO of Messer SE.

Messer and Duslo have been working together for more than 25 years.

Duslo, a.s. is part of the Agrofert Group, an international conglomerate with operations in the primary and chemical sectors, renewable energy, agriculture and forestry, agricultural trade, food production and the media.