Praxair, Inc. has signed a long-term contract with Mesabi Nugget LLC to construct and operate a new plant at Mesabi's Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota iron nugget facility. The plant will supply nitrogen to provide an inert atmosphere for various aspects of the nugget production process, replacing previous liquid nitrogen supply.
Under the agreement, Praxair will build and operate the plant at Mesabi's facility in Hoyt Lakes, which produces the world's first and only iron nuggets that are pure enough to meet the pig iron specification for US mini-mill steel production. The plant will produce approximately 50 tons per day of nitrogen and is scheduled to start-up by the end of 2012 to support the continued growing demand for iron nuggets.
Praxair, Inc. is the largest industrial gases company in North and South America, and one of the largest worldwide, with 2011 sales of $11 billion.