Nothing But Praises For IGL’s New PSA Plant

Business and health sector leaders have welcomed the development of IGL Limited’s new Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) oxygen plant at Ferry in St. Catherine, which was established at a cost of nearly $100 million.

The facility, which was commissioned into service recently by Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister, Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, will boost IGL’s and, by extension, Jamaica’s medical-grade oxygen production capacity by over 40 per cent.

Its development is deemed timely, as Jamaica continues to navigate health challenges associated with the lingering pervasive novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The new facility complements IGL’s air separation unit, built in 2018, which manufactures liquid oxygen and nitrogen.

The overall expansion now better positions IGL to meet domestic market demand for medical and industrial gases including carbon dioxide, and export demand for these products.

Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) President, John Mahfood, describes the undertaking as a “very important investment.

“It makes us self-sufficient in oxygen [production and] gives us the ability to export important gases,” he tells JIS News.

Mr. Mahfood says IGL’s investment is the kind that is welcome both locally and regionally “when things are difficult.

“This, in order that we, in the Caribbean [can be more] self-sufficient in important [inputs] that we need, whether it’s glass bottles or cans, or whether it’s something as important as oxygen for the welfare of people. So, it is the perfect type of investment for Jamaica,” he adds.

Regional Director for the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA), Errol Greene, describes the buildout as a “welcome addition to the [medical oxygen production] capacity.

“We were in constant dialogue with IGL, they [kept us abreast of] what they were doing.” He adds that it was a privilege to be part of the process and to represent the regional health authorities at the commissioning of the plant.

Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) Regional Director, Michael Bent, says the organisation fully supports IGL’s undertaking, while describing the entity as a “very vital partner to the health sector.

“We are really happy for and support the expansion. The health sector certainly stands to benefit significantly, as also the wider country,” he tells JIS News.

In his remarks at the ceremony, Senator Hill, who represented Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, described the plant’s commissioning as a “momentous occasion in the life of IGL’s service to Jamaica.”

Senator Hill notes that Jamaica “relies heavily” on IGL’s services to provide fuel for nutritional and medicinal needs.

He points out that prior to the entity making medical-grade oxygen available locally, Jamaica had to import to meet demand.

“However, it was over the past two years… as our nation grappled with the coronavirus and oxygen was needed to save lives… we saw the full value of having the commodity available locally as global supply diminished and many countries scrambled to fill the very heightened demand occasioned by the virus,” the Minister adds.

Senator Hill says consequent on the entity’s “responsive leadership” to the supply chain challenges and dedicated service, “you and your staff… ensured that this critical commodity was delivered to our hospitals across the island.

“On behalf of the government and people of Jamaica, I extend sincere appreciation to you and your staff. Your quick and careful action went a long way to help control Jamaica’s mortality rate and reduce the stress occasioned by the pandemic,” he adds.

Senator Hill, who points out that “this is the time… to invest in Jamaica” based on the current business climate, welcomed the focus by IGL which has been in operation for 60 years.

“Our health sector and economy will, undoubtedly, benefit from this investment. This expansion also puts IGL in a firm position to be able to broaden its outlook to international markets. I look forward to the continued growth of IGL and wish you every success as a producer in Jamaica who will export across the waters,” he adds.

In his remarks, Science, Energy and Technology Minister, Hon. Daryl Vaz, says IGL’s latest undertaking “should be marked with celebration.

“This feat is not one to be taken lightly, especially in the face of the pandemic which continues to cause significant strain on the resources of many organisations. This investment stands, not only to benefit the economy, but those among us who are ailing and in need of this very precious commodity [oxygen],” he adds.

IGL Managing Director, Peter Graham, says the entity’s management, being cognizant of the importance of the entity’s products to Jamaica, particularly medical-grade oxygen, “went ahead in the pandemic and still invested” in building out the production capacity.

He anticipates that by year-end, IGL would have generated enough capacity to commence exporting the products manufactured, inclusive of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide.

Mr. Graham also paid tribute to health care workers who were and continue to be at the forefront of Jamaica’s fight against COVID-19.

“We [have been] partners with you, and we know what you went through. So, to all the health professionals in Jamaica… thank you,” he says.