Buy Used Chemical Process Plants Case Studies

Overview         In 2026, Phoenix Equipment successfully completed the sale and full relocation of a 500 TPD Nitric Acid Plant from Canada to Türkiye. This project showcased Phoenix Equipment’s unique ability to manage the entire lifecycle of a plant redeployment: commercial negotiation, engineering review, precision dismantling of installed equipment, heavy haul transport of uninstalled assets, international export packing, port operations, and ocean freight logistics. The result: A fully delivered nitric acid plant Over 1 million pounds of machinery and equipment exported 15 break-bulk pieces plus 15 x 40' sea containers Significant cost and time savings for the buyer vs. purchasing new equipment Dismantling completed much earlier than the buyer’s arrangement of shipping   The Challenges   The buyer was eager to build a plant to produce nitric acid as the critical raw material for ammonium nitrate production. The buyer approached Phoenix Equipment to find a used nitric acid plant to meet several requirements: Complete plant immediately available for sale Very competitive price Proven process technology and trackable operation records Good equipment condition Availability of full technical documentation Timely and safely dismantling all the plant equipment including over-sized and column, precise-positioned compressor train and heavy vessels Shipment to Türkiye without damage or delay   Phoenix Equipment’s Solution         1. Plant Match & Due Diligence Phoenix Equipment offered a complete, used nitric acid plant using mono high-pressure process designed by Weatherly (a division of KBR). Weatherly has installed more than 80 nitric acid plants worldwide with an approximately 30% market share. Phoenix Equipment organized the full technical documentation for the buyer to evaluate the 500 TPD plant in Canada, arranged the buyer to inspect the plant equipment, and coordinated the technical meetings with the former plant staffs. Phoenix Equipment utilized its network in chemical industry to assist the buyer explore the options to improve the process efficiency of the nitric acid plant     2. Precision Dismantling of Installed Equipment Many plant components — including large absorption column, compressor train, boilers, intercoolers, and economizer — were fully installed and integrated. Phoenix Equipment coordinated: Engineering of lift plans Removing hazardous materials including asbestos Rigging and removal using heavy cranes (see photos) Cutting and separation where required Marking, tagging, and documentation of dismantled equipment   Our dismantling team ensured the plant could be reassembled efficiently in the buyer’s final project location.   3. Heavy Lifting and Transporting Oversized Absorption Column The absorption column has weight of 145,000 Lbs and height of 70 feet. Phoenix Equipment worked with a local engineering company to design and manufacture a lifting lug to ensure the column could be safely removed from site and loaded onto heavy haul trailer and ocean cargo ship. The inland transportation required Multi-axle SPMT or dual-lane trailers Route surveys and permitting Police escorts and controlled movement Specialized saddles and supports during transport   4. Export Packing, Containerization & Break-Bulk Preparation The plant equipment was staged, packed, and prepared for ocean export, including: 15 x 40’ containers of process equipment, parts, controls, and auxiliary systems 15 break-bulk pieces for oversized equipment Custom crating VCI preservation Saddle fabrication Lashing and securing plans Moisture protection for long-duration sea transport   Total shipment exceeded 1 million pounds. Phoenix Equipment worked closely with a Canadian logistic company and the buyer’s logistic agent to prepare Export Declaration, Commercial Invoice, Packing List and other documents to ensure a smooth export on schedule.   5. Port Operations & Ocean Freight to Türkiye Phoenix Equipment acted as the pivot logistics coordinator, including: Contracting with a major port and ocean carrier Managing tandem-lift heavy crane operations (as shown in photos) Ensuring proper stowage for long-haul transit Monitoring port receiving, staging, and loading Final delivery to Türkiye   Our integrated approach ensured schedule adherence and minimized demurrage and port charges.   Outcome From the initial inquiry to final delivery of the 500 TPD nitric acid plant, we worked together with the buyer through plant selection, technical evaluation, commercial negotiation, engineered dismantling and international transportation for approximately one year. By purchasing a used plant and leveraging Phoenix Equipment’s turnkey relocation capabilities, the buyer: Saved millions vs. new-build cost Avoided 36 months of new design, equipment fabrication and construction lead time Received a complete, functioning production plant delivered to their country   This project underscores Phoenix Equipment’s reputation as an industrial champion in: Processing plant identification and sourcing Complete plant acquisitions Industrial asset redeployment Dismantling & rigging Heavy haul and project cargo logistics Turnkey international relocation   Whether a project requires a few truckloads or an entire processing plant like this one, Phoenix Equipment delivers speed, expertise, and end-to-end accountability. Learn more about our dismantlement and relocation services today.

Zimbabwe Platinum Producer Acquires Used Oxygen Plant and Cuts More Than a Year from Expansion Timeline 55 TPD VPSA Oxygen Plant Relocated from India to Zimbabwe as a Faster Alternative to Building New A major platinum producer in Zimbabwe needed additional oxygen capacity to improve furnace performance and support its metallurgical operations. The company required a production-ready solution quickly. Procuring a new oxygen plant would have required more than a year for engineering, manufacturing, delivery, and installation, along with a substantial capital investment. Phoenix Equipment identified an alternative: a 55 ton-per-day VPSA oxygen plant in India that was fully operational, had only approximately two years of runtime, and was available for relocation. The buyer evaluated the existing plant, determined that it could meet its oxygen requirements, and committed to the acquisition within approximately two months. Phoenix then managed the dismantling, inland transportation, export logistics, and ocean freight required to relocate the plant from India to Zimbabwe. By acquiring an existing plant instead of waiting for a new one to be built, the platinum producer cut more than a year from its project schedule while avoiding the substantially higher capital requirement of a new installation. The Buyer’s Challenge Oxygen enrichment can play an important role in improving furnace combustion and production performance in metals-processing operations. The Zimbabwean platinum producer needed additional oxygen capacity, but project timing was critical. A conventional new-build oxygen plant would have involved: Process and equipment engineering New equipment procurement Manufacturing lead time Factory testing Delivery to Zimbabwe Installation and commissioning The overall process would have taken more than a year before the new capacity could be available. The buyer therefore considered whether an existing oxygen plant could deliver the required capacity significantly faster. Phoenix Identified an Existing Plant That Fit the Requirement Phoenix located a surplus oxygen plant owned by Bhagawati Oxygen in India. The 55 TPD VPSA unit, manufactured by Sumitomo Seika, had originally supported copper-smelting operations. When those operations ceased, the oxygen plant became inactive even though the equipment remained fully functional. Several characteristics made the plant an attractive candidate for relocation: 55 tons per day oxygen production capacity Approximately 93% oxygen purity Only about two years of operating runtime Manufactured by Sumitomo Seika Excellent equipment condition Available OEM documentation Available spare parts Complete operating system suitable for relocation Instead of beginning with equipment that still needed to be engineered and manufactured, the buyer could evaluate an existing production plant with a known operating history. Evaluating the Plant Before Acquisition Buying an existing process plant requires careful evaluation. Phoenix reviewed the oxygen plant’s design, condition, operating history, documentation, and adaptability for the buyer’s intended application. The Zimbabwean producer was also able to evaluate the plant as part of the acquisition process. This gave the buyer confidence that the existing equipment could provide the required oxygen capacity and could be successfully dismantled and relocated to a new operating site. The plant’s limited runtime was particularly attractive. Although the unit was being purchased second-hand, it had accumulated only approximately two years of operating service and remained in excellent condition with OEM documentation and spare parts available. For the buyer, this combination provided many of the advantages associated with newer equipment without the manufacturing lead time of a new plant. Why Buying Used Made Sense The buyer’s decision came down to two major project considerations: Speed Building a new oxygen plant would have required more than a year before production capacity became available. The existing Bhagawati plant was already manufactured, operational, and available for relocation. Capital Efficiency A newly manufactured oxygen plant would have required a substantial capital commitment. Acquiring the existing plant allowed the platinum producer to obtain the required oxygen capacity while avoiding the financial burden associated with a completely new installation. The result was a faster and more capital-efficient route to expanding oxygen supply. Buyer Commits Within Two Months Once Phoenix introduced the plant and the buyer completed its assessment, the Zimbabwean producer moved quickly. The buyer approved and committed to the acquisition within approximately two months. That speed demonstrates one of the advantages of purchasing an existing process plant: once the right asset is identified and technical due diligence is completed, the project can move directly into acquisition and relocation rather than waiting for equipment fabrication. International Dismantling and Relocation Identifying the right plant was only part of the project. The oxygen unit still needed to be safely removed from its existing location in India and transported across continents to Zimbabwe. Phoenix coordinated the relocation process, including: Plant dismantling Equipment preparation Inland transportation in India Export coordination Port logistics Ocean freight International transportation planning Phoenix acted as the connection between the available asset in India and the new industrial application in Zimbabwe, helping convert an inactive oxygen plant into productive capacity for a new owner. The Buyer’s Result The Zimbabwean platinum producer acquired a fully functional 55 TPD oxygen plant that could be deployed much faster than a newly built system. The most important project result was schedule. By acquiring existing equipment, the buyer cut more than a year from the project timeline. Strategic Advantages for the Buyer More than one year removed from the project schedule Avoided the substantially higher capital burden of a new oxygen plant Acquired a complete, fully functional oxygen production system Only approximately two years of prior plant runtime Excellent equipment condition OEM documentation and spare parts available Known operating history Buyer commitment achieved within approximately two months Phoenix-managed international dismantling and relocation Faster access to oxygen capacity for furnace enrichment The project demonstrates that purchasing used process equipment does not necessarily mean accepting old or heavily utilized assets. In this case, the buyer acquired a relatively lightly used industrial plant with documentation, spare parts, and a proven operating history—and obtained it on a schedule that a new equipment supplier could not match. The Seller’s Result For Bhagawati Oxygen, the plant represented valuable industrial equipment that was no longer generating revenue after the associated copper-smelting operation ceased. Rather than allowing the plant to remain idle, the company was able to sell the asset for continued productive use. Strategic Advantages for Bhagawati Oxygen Recovered value from an inactive oxygen plant Generated liquidity from equipment no longer contributing to operations Avoided prolonged ownership of an idle industrial asset Transferred a complete production plant to a qualified end user Preserved the productive value of the equipment through relocation rather than disposal The transaction created a strong alignment between seller and buyer. Bhagawati had production equipment it no longer needed. The Zimbabwean platinum producer needed oxygen capacity quickly. Phoenix Equipment connected those requirements. Project Highlights Buyer: Major Zimbabwean Platinum Producer Plant: 55 TPD VPSA Oxygen Plant Product Purity: Approximately 93% Oxygen OEM: Sumitomo Seika Equipment Condition: Fully Functional / Approximately Two Years Runtime Original Location: India New Location: Zimbabwe Services: Plant Sourcing, Acquisition and Relocation Project Value: Approximately $2 million Project Timeline: November 2022 – October 2023 Buyer Commitment: Approximately Two Months From Surplus Capacity in India to Productive Capacity in Zimbabwe The relocation of the Bhagawati oxygen plant demonstrates why industrial buyers should consider existing process plants alongside new-build alternatives. The Zimbabwean platinum producer did not simply buy lower-cost used equipment. It acquired existing, proven production capacity that had already been engineered, manufactured, operated, and documented. That distinction allowed the buyer to move much faster. Rather than spending more than a year waiting for a new oxygen plant to be engineered and manufactured, the company was able to evaluate an existing facility, complete the acquisition, and move directly into relocation. For the buyer, the result was more than a year of schedule savings, reduced capital requirements, and faster access to the oxygen capacity needed for its operation. For the seller, an inactive plant became a source of recovered capital rather than an idle asset. The project illustrates the strategic value of the secondary process plant market: when suitable capacity already exists somewhere in the world, buying and relocating that capacity can provide a faster and more capital-efficient path to production than starting from new.

Fermentation Company Adds 3,000 Liters of Bioproduction Capacity for Under $1 Million Unused Bioreactor System Cuts a Two-Year Equipment Lead Time to Less Than Three Months to Operation A U.S.-based company specializing in fermentation and contract fermentation needed to add 3,000 liters of bioproduction capacity to support an expansion project. The challenge was both cost and timing. New fermentation equipment from original equipment manufacturers carried long lead times—approximately two years—and pricing that made the proposed expansion difficult to justify economically. Rather than delay the project or commit significantly more capital to newly manufactured equipment, the company turned to Phoenix Equipment to identify an existing fermentation system that could meet its technical requirements. Phoenix initially offered several available fermenters and fermentation systems, but none were the right fit. Instead of stopping there, Phoenix launched a targeted search for suitable capacity outside its existing inventory. Within a short period of time, that search identified an unused BioEngineering bioreactor system from a cancelled project. The equipment had never been installed, remained in its original crates, and represented more than $3 million of previous project investment. The buyer ultimately acquired the system and brought it into operation for a total project cost of less than $1 million, including relocation and reinstallation—and in less than three months. The Buyer’s Challenge The fermentation company had an immediate need to expand production capacity. The project required an additional 3,000-liter production bioreactor system, but purchasing new equipment presented two major obstacles. Long OEM Lead Times New fermentation systems suitable for the project were subject to lead times approaching two years. For a growing contract fermentation company, waiting that long for additional production capacity could mean delaying customer programs, revenue opportunities, and broader expansion plans. High Capital Cost The cost of ordering a new bioreactor system also made the project economics difficult. The buyer needed a way to obtain high-quality production equipment while preserving capital for other parts of the expansion. An existing unused system offered the potential to solve both problems. The Right System Was Not Already for Sale Phoenix first reviewed its existing fermentation equipment and presented several potential systems to the buyer. None fully met the technical requirements. This became an important part of the project. Phoenix was not limited to the equipment already listed in its inventory. Instead, the company began a targeted search for suitable fermentation capacity in the broader market. Within a short period of time, Phoenix entered discussions with another client whose project had been cancelled. That company had already purchased a complete BioEngineering bioreactor system but no longer had a use for it. The cancelled project created an opportunity for one company’s stranded capital investment to become another company’s expansion solution. An Unused Bioreactor System in Pristine Condition The available BioEngineering system had never been installed or operated. The equipment remained in its original crates and in pristine condition. The system included: Two 300-liter seed vessels Two 800-liter seed vessels One 3,000-liter production vessel 316L stainless steel construction Integrated equipment designed for cell-based production Equipment that had never been installed Original crating and excellent physical condition The seller had invested more than $3 million in the project before it was cancelled. For the fermentation company, this created an unusual opportunity: acquire essentially unused, world-class production equipment without paying the cost or waiting through the lead time associated with a new OEM order. Why Buying the Existing System Made Sense The decision came down to three major advantages. Capital Efficiency The original project represented more than $3 million of investment. The buyer’s total project cost—including acquisition, relocation, and reinstallation—was ultimately less than $1 million. That allowed the company to add significant production capacity while deploying substantially less capital than would have been required for a comparable new system. Speed A new system could have required approximately two years of lead time. The acquired system was already manufactured, packaged, and available. The buyer brought the equipment into operation in less than three months. Equipment Condition This was not heavily used process equipment. The bioreactor system had never been installed and remained in pristine condition in its original crates. The buyer therefore obtained the cost and schedule advantages of the secondary equipment market while acquiring equipment with no prior production history. Technical Evaluation Before Purchase Finding an available system was only the first step. Phoenix worked with the buyer over several weeks to confirm that the bioreactor system met its technical requirements. This evaluation was critical. Buying an existing fermentation system requires more than matching vessel capacity. The buyer must consider process requirements, vessel design, metallurgy, controls, supporting equipment, installation requirements, and how the system will fit into the new production environment. Phoenix provided the buyer with the time and information needed to evaluate the system properly before moving forward. Flexibility to Arrange Project Financing The buyer also needed time to arrange financing for the acquisition and expansion project. Phoenix worked with the company’s schedule and provided sufficient time for the buyer to put its financing in place. For an expanding manufacturer, this flexibility can be an important part of acquiring an existing process system. The value of a used plant acquisition is not simply the purchase price. A successful transaction must also align technical evaluation, financing, removal, transportation, and installation with the buyer’s overall project plan. Acquisition, Removal, and Delivery Phoenix secured the equipment through a competitive purchase process and then managed the physical transfer of the system. Phoenix’s scope included: Acquisition of the complete bioreactor system Coordination with the original asset owner Buyer technical evaluation Scheduling around the buyer’s financing requirements Removal of the equipment from the seller’s site Loading Packing and securing equipment Transportation to the buyer’s facility Because the system had already been manufactured and preserved, the project could move rapidly once the acquisition was completed. The Buyer’s Result The fermentation company added 3,000 liters of production capacity without waiting approximately two years for newly manufactured equipment. The financial result was equally significant. Buyer Results Less than $1 million Total project cost, including acquisition, relocation, and reinstallation Less than 3 months Time to operation More than $3 million Original investment represented by the unused system 3,000 liters Additional production bioreactor capacity 100% of core process assets reused Existing major equipment was redeployed rather than replaced with newly manufactured assets Strategic Advantages for the Buyer Avoided an approximately two-year OEM lead time Added 3,000 liters of bioproduction capacity in less than three months Completed the entire project for under $1 million Acquired equipment representing more than $3 million of prior investment Obtained unused equipment in pristine condition Avoided the capital burden of purchasing an equivalent new system Phoenix sourced the system even though a suitable unit was not initially in inventory Received time to complete technical diligence and arrange financing Phoenix managed removal, packing, loading, and delivery For the buyer, the transaction transformed an expansion project that had been difficult to justify into one that could move forward quickly and economically. The Seller’s Result The seller faced the opposite problem. It had already invested more than $3 million in a high-quality bioreactor system for a project that was ultimately cancelled. The equipment was valuable, but the company no longer had a productive use for it. Phoenix acquired the assets through a competitive process, providing the seller with immediate liquidity and a partial recovery of its prior investment. Strategic Advantages for the Seller Recovered capital from a cancelled project Converted unused equipment into immediate liquidity Freed capital for other business priorities Avoided continuing to store and manage equipment it no longer required Transferred the complete system to another industrial user rather than breaking it up or allowing it to remain idle The transaction gave the seller an exit from a stranded capital investment while giving the buyer access to capacity it urgently needed. From Cancelled Project to Operating Capacity in Less Than Three Months This project demonstrates one of the clearest advantages of the secondary process equipment market. The fermentation company’s expansion was constrained by high new-equipment costs and an approximately two-year OEM lead time. At the same time, another company had already invested more than $3 million in a complete bioreactor system that it would never use because its project had been cancelled. Phoenix Equipment connected those two situations. When no suitable system was immediately available in Phoenix’s inventory, Phoenix searched the broader market, identified the unused BioEngineering system, secured the assets, supported the buyer’s technical evaluation and financing timeline, and managed removal and delivery. The buyer ultimately put the system into operation in less than three months at a total project cost of under $1 million. For the buyer, the result was a faster and dramatically more capital-efficient path to expanding fermentation capacity. For the seller, it meant recovering meaningful value from equipment stranded by a cancelled project. The project illustrates why buyers considering major process expansions should evaluate the existing equipment market before committing to new fabrication: the capacity they need may already have been engineered, manufactured, and paid for—without ever having entered service.

Australian Buyer Acquires Unused Green Hydrogen Plant and Cuts Project Lead Time Containerized PEM Hydrogen Plant Relocated from Texas to Australia for Rapid Redeployment An Australian company involved in green energy projects needed hydrogen production capacity without the long lead time associated with engineering and procuring a new system. Phoenix Equipment offered an alternative: an unused 60 Nm³/hr containerized green hydrogen plant located in Brownsville, Texas. The plant had been built in 2018 for Pan American Enterprise but was never placed into production. Because the system was already manufactured, assembled, and available for relocation, it presented an opportunity for a new owner to acquire hydrogen production capacity without beginning a new equipment procurement program from scratch. Phoenix acquired the plant, identified an international buyer, and managed the transaction and relocation from the United States to Australia. The project gave the buyer a significantly faster route to green hydrogen capacity while allowing Pan American Enterprise to recover value from a plant it had built but never used. The Buyer’s Challenge The Australian buyer was actively developing projects in the growing green energy sector and needed hydrogen production equipment that could be deployed on a practical project schedule. Purchasing new hydrogen equipment would have required additional engineering, manufacturing, delivery, and installation time. An existing unused plant offered a different approach. Instead of waiting for a new system to be manufactured, the buyer could acquire a plant that had already been built and was available for immediate evaluation and international relocation. For a company developing a new hydrogen project, reducing equipment lead time can have a direct impact on the overall development schedule and the time required to begin producing hydrogen. Why the Pan American Hydrogen Plant Was a Strong Fit The available plant was a 60 Nm³/hr green hydrogen production system designed to produce hydrogen through water electrolysis. The containerized system included: PEM hydrogen generation equipment Hydrogen compressors Skid-mounted process equipment Containerized plant configuration Equipment built in 2018 A complete system that had never been placed into commercial production Because the plant was unused, the buyer had the opportunity to acquire relatively recent hydrogen-production equipment without the manufacturing lead time associated with a new order. The containerized design also made the plant particularly suitable for relocation. Rather than dismantling a large conventional process facility into hundreds of individual components, the major equipment had already been configured into transportable packages that could be prepared for international shipment and redeployed at another location. Acquiring Existing Green Hydrogen Capacity Instead of Waiting for New Equipment The key advantage for the buyer was availability. The plant already existed. Its major equipment had been engineered, manufactured, and assembled, allowing the buyer to focus on acquisition, transportation, import requirements, and reinstallation rather than beginning with a new equipment fabrication cycle. That distinction can be significant for emerging hydrogen projects. In fast-developing sectors such as renewable hydrogen, project economics and development schedules can change quickly. Access to existing production equipment can allow a project developer to move from concept toward operation much faster than a conventional new-equipment procurement strategy. For this buyer, acquiring the Pan American plant drastically reduced the project lead time. Phoenix Managed More Than the Equipment Sale Moving an existing process plant across international borders requires more than arranging transportation. Phoenix worked with the Australian buyer to address several practical requirements that could otherwise have delayed the project. These included: Compliance with Australian import regulations Integration with the buyer’s SAP vendor requirements Coordination of international shipment Sourcing additional engineering information Obtaining technical drawings required for reinstallation This support was particularly important because an existing plant must be successfully transferred from one owner and location to another before its time and cost advantages can be realized. Phoenix helped bridge that gap between purchasing the equipment in Texas and preparing it for productive use in Australia. Engineering Documentation Accelerated Reinstallation One of the less visible—but important—parts of buying a used process plant is obtaining the engineering information needed to reinstall and integrate the equipment. Phoenix sourced specific engineering and technical drawings for the hydrogen plant that helped the buyer accelerate the reinstallation project. For buyers evaluating existing process plants, documentation can be nearly as important as the physical equipment. Equipment drawings, system information, and engineering documentation can reduce the amount of reverse engineering required at the new location and help the buyer plan installation more efficiently. In this project, sourcing that information helped preserve one of the principal advantages of the acquisition: speed. International Relocation from Texas to Australia Phoenix coordinated the relocation of the complete hydrogen plant from Brownsville, Texas to Australia. The project ran from July 2021 through January 2022. The plant equipment arrived in Australia in January 2022. After inspecting the delivered equipment, the buyer was very pleased with its quality. Project Highlights Plant: 60 Nm³/hr Green Hydrogen Plant Technology: PEM Water Electrolysis Configuration: Containerized / Skid-Mounted Equipment Status: Unused Year Built: 2018 Original Location: Brownsville, Texas, USA New Location: Australia Service: Plant Acquisition and Relocation Project Timeframe: July 2021 – January 2022 Project Value: Approximately $800,000 The Buyer’s Result The Australian buyer acquired a complete, unused hydrogen production system without waiting for a new plant to be manufactured. Phoenix then helped overcome the practical challenges associated with transferring the plant internationally, including import requirements, vendor registration, technical documentation, shipment, and reinstallation planning. Strategic Advantages for the Buyer Drastically reduced project lead time compared with starting a new equipment procurement Acquired an unused hydrogen plant rather than equipment with an operating history Immediate access to existing green hydrogen production capacity Containerized configuration suitable for international relocation PEM electrolysis technology for renewable hydrogen production Phoenix support with Australian import requirements Phoenix support navigating the buyer’s SAP vendor system Engineering and technical drawings sourced to accelerate reinstallation Equipment delivered internationally and inspected successfully by the buyer The project demonstrates that the value of an existing plant extends beyond its purchase price. For a buyer developing a hydrogen project, having equipment already manufactured can remove a major source of project delay and allow engineering resources to focus on integration and startup rather than waiting for fabrication. The Seller’s Result Pan American Enterprise had invested in building the hydrogen plant in 2018 but was ultimately unable to place the system into production. That created a stranded capital asset: valuable, relatively recent hydrogen equipment existed, but there was no internal path to productive use. Phoenix acquired the plant and developed an international market for the asset. The ultimate sale allowed the equipment to be redeployed to an active green energy project rather than remaining idle in Texas. Strategic Advantages for Pan American Enterprise Recovered value from a hydrogen plant that had never entered production Converted an idle capital asset into a saleable industrial asset Avoided allowing relatively recent hydrogen equipment to remain unused indefinitely Transferred the plant to a buyer with an active green energy application Enabled productive reuse of the complete system rather than disposal of individual components From an Idle Plant in Texas to a Green Hydrogen Project in Australia The Pan American Enterprise project illustrates how the secondary process plant market can accelerate deployment of emerging energy technologies. One company had an unused hydrogen plant with no path to production. Another company, on the other side of the world, needed hydrogen equipment for an active green energy project. Phoenix Equipment connected those requirements. The buyer acquired a complete, unused PEM hydrogen plant that was already manufactured and available for relocation, dramatically reducing project lead time. Phoenix then addressed many of the practical challenges that determine whether a used plant acquisition is truly successful—from import compliance and vendor requirements to engineering documentation and international transportation. For Pan American Enterprise, the transaction recovered value from equipment that had never been used. For the Australian buyer, it provided a faster route to green hydrogen production capacity than starting again with a new plant procurement. The project demonstrates an important advantage of buying existing process equipment: when the right plant has already been built, a buyer can redirect capital and engineering effort toward relocation, integration, and startup instead of waiting for new equipment to be manufactured.

Used Hydrogen Plant Acquisition Cuts Cost and Lead Time for U.S. Renewable Diesel Project Redeploying an Unused Hydrogen Plant Created Value for Both Seller and Buyer A major gas supplier supporting Vertex Energy’s refinery conversion to renewable diesel production needed substantial hydrogen production capacity on an aggressive project schedule. Procuring a newly manufactured hydrogen plant would have required significantly more capital and a much longer lead time. Phoenix Equipment provided an alternative: an unused, never-installed 35,000 Nm³/hr hydrogen plant originally manufactured for the Saras refinery in Sardinia, Italy. The plant had been manufactured in 2009 but was never constructed because of changing project requirements. Its major equipment remained in storage for more than a decade, creating an opportunity on both sides of the transaction. For Saras, the sale converted a large, unused capital asset into substantial cash recovery from equipment the company no longer expected to deploy. For the buyer, it created access to high-quality hydrogen production assets without waiting for a new plant to be engineered and fabricated. The Buyer’s Challenge The buyer, a major industrial gas supplier, was supporting the hydrogen requirements of Vertex Energy’s conversion of an existing refinery to renewable diesel production. The project required significant hydrogen capacity within a compressed schedule. For projects of this scale, equipment availability can become a critical path. A conventional new-build approach can involve engineering, procurement, fabrication, delivery and construction before production capacity becomes available. The buyer therefore evaluated whether an existing hydrogen plant could provide the required capacity while reducing both capital investment and project schedule. Why the Saras Hydrogen Plant Was a Strong Fit Phoenix had acquired the complete unused hydrogen plant associated with the cancelled Saras refinery project. The available plant included: 35,000 Nm³/hr hydrogen production capacity UHDE-designed syngas reformer Linde-designed pressure swing adsorption (PSA) unit Major equipment manufactured in 2009 Equipment that had never been installed or operated A complete plant package suitable for evaluation, relocation and reuse Rather than purchasing individual pieces of equipment, the buyer had the opportunity to acquire major components of an already engineered hydrogen production system. For Saras, the transaction also solved a different problem: valuable process equipment that had remained in storage for years could finally be monetized rather than continuing to sit idle. Technical Evaluation and Integration Buying an existing process plant requires more than confirming nameplate capacity. The buyer must also evaluate equipment condition, process design, documentation, configuration and the ability to integrate the assets into a new facility. For this project, the hydrogen plant was evaluated for incorporation into the hydrogen supply infrastructure supporting the Vertex renewable diesel conversion. ThyssenKrupp AG provided technical services to the new plant owner to support integration of the existing hydrogen plant assets into the new project. This technical work helped transform equipment originally manufactured for one refinery project into production assets capable of serving an entirely different facility and commercial application. Plant Acquisition and Relocation Phoenix Equipment managed the transaction and relocation of the complete plant from Italy to the United States. The project demonstrated one of the central advantages of the secondary process plant market: valuable production capacity does not necessarily need to remain tied to the facility for which it was originally designed. When process technology, capacity, equipment condition and project economics align, an existing plant can be redeployed to another location and become part of an entirely new production strategy. At the same time, the original owner can recover significant value from assets that might otherwise remain unused indefinitely. Project Highlights Plant: 35,000 Nm³/hr Hydrogen Plant Application: Hydrogen Supply for Vertex Renewable Diesel Refinery Conversion Original Owner: Saras Original Location: Italy New Location: United States Equipment Status: Unused / Never Installed Plant Acquisition & Relocation: Phoenix Equipment Project Timeframe: September 2021 – November 2022 Project Value: Approximately $10 million The Buyer’s Result By acquiring the unused Saras hydrogen plant through Phoenix Equipment, the industrial gas supplier obtained substantial hydrogen production capacity at a fraction of the cost of purchasing comparable new equipment. More importantly, the availability of an existing plant reduced equipment lead time to months rather than the substantially longer schedule associated with a new plant, helping the supplier support the aggressive schedule of Vertex Energy’s renewable diesel conversion. Strategic Advantages for the Buyer Lower capital investment than purchasing comparable new hydrogen production assets Shorter equipment lead time, with existing equipment available for relocation rather than waiting for new fabrication Unused major process equipment from established technology providers Existing engineered plant configuration that could be evaluated and adapted to a new project Faster path to hydrogen production capacity for a time-sensitive refinery conversion Phoenix support through acquisition and international relocation The Seller’s Result For Saras, the transaction demonstrated the value of finding a new market for surplus process assets. The hydrogen plant had been manufactured for a project that was never completed and had remained unused for more than a decade. Rather than continuing to carry an idle asset with no planned operational use, Saras was able to realize substantial financial recovery from the sale of the plant. Strategic Advantages for Saras Substantial payment for equipment that was no longer expected to be used Recovery of value from a stranded capital asset Avoidance of continued long-term storage and asset-management costs Productive redeployment of equipment that otherwise might never have entered service Transfer of the plant to a buyer capable of putting the equipment into commercial use A Second Life for a Major Process Plant The Saras hydrogen plant project illustrates how the secondary process plant market can create substantial value for both sides of a transaction. The original owner recovered significant value from a major capital asset that had remained unused for years. The new owner acquired high-quality hydrogen production equipment at a lower capital cost and on a much shorter schedule than a conventional new-build project. Instead of allowing an engineered plant to remain stranded in storage, the equipment was evaluated, sold, relocated across continents and redeployed to support new industrial production. For buyers, this approach can provide a faster and more capital-efficient path to production capacity. For owners of surplus plants, it can turn equipment with no future internal use into meaningful financial recovery.  

A clean fuels startup needed hydrogen capacity but faced a $10+ million new-build alternative and long equipment lead times. Phoenix searched beyond its own inventory, identified three available plants, and helped the buyer inspect, acquire, dismantle and relocate a 2 MMSCFD hydrogen plant from Calumet—all within five months.   Used Hydrogen Plant Avoids a $10+ Million New-Build Alternative and Supports an Aggressive Startup Schedule A clean fuels startup developing a waste-to-renewable-hydrogen project needed hydrogen production capacity quickly and with disciplined capital spending. A newly built hydrogen plant would have cost well over $10 million and required a substantially longer engineering, fabrication, and delivery schedule. For an early-stage company working to advance a new project, both the capital requirement and lead time created significant challenges. The company turned to Phoenix Equipment to identify an existing hydrogen plant that could be acquired and relocated much faster than building new. Phoenix did not have an exact match in its existing inventory, so the search expanded into the broader industrial market. By approaching refineries, hydrogen producers, hydrogenation facilities, and chemical plants, Phoenix identified multiple potential assets and ultimately presented the buyer with three hydrogen plant alternatives. The startup selected a used 2 MMSCFD (2,350 Nm³/hr) hydrogen plant located at Calumet’s facility in Montana. From market search and plant evaluation through purchase, dismantling, and relocation, the entire process was completed in approximately five months. The Buyer’s Challenge The buyer was a startup clean fuels company focused on converting waste into renewable hydrogen. As a startup, the company needed to balance several competing priorities: Secure the hydrogen production capacity required for its project Preserve capital for other project-development needs Avoid the cost of a new hydrogen plant that would have exceeded $10 million Reduce equipment lead time Move quickly enough to support an aggressive development schedule A conventional new-build hydrogen plant would have required significant upfront capital as well as a lengthy engineering, procurement, fabrication, and delivery cycle. For the buyer, acquiring an existing plant offered the possibility of obtaining the required production capacity at a much lower capital commitment and on a far shorter schedule. Phoenix Sourced the Plant Beyond Its Existing Inventory One of the most important aspects of the project was that Phoenix did not initially have the right hydrogen plant available in inventory. Rather than asking the buyer to wait for a suitable asset to appear on the market, Phoenix launched a targeted search. The search included outreach to: Refineries Chemical plants Hydrogen producers Hydrogenation facilities Other industrial operators with potentially surplus hydrogen capacity Phoenix ultimately identified three viable hydrogen plant alternatives and presented them to the buyer for evaluation. This gave the startup the ability to compare available assets based on capacity, condition, availability, location, project schedule, and economics rather than being limited to a single plant. The selected asset was a 2 MMSCFD hydrogen plant at Calumet’s Montana facility that was becoming available as part of a larger site redevelopment. Evaluating an Existing Hydrogen Plant For a startup making a major capital-equipment decision, evaluating the condition and suitability of a used plant was critical. Through Phoenix’s arrangement, the buyer was able to inspect the Calumet hydrogen plant before completing the acquisition. This gave the company an opportunity to evaluate the actual asset rather than commit capital to equipment that had yet to be designed or manufactured. The buyer could assess whether the plant’s capacity, process configuration, condition, and relocation feasibility matched its project requirements. For companies considering used process plants, this evaluation stage is essential. A successful acquisition requires more than finding the right nameplate capacity. The plant must also make sense technically, commercially, and logistically for its new application. Why the Calumet Plant Was a Strong Fit The Calumet hydrogen plant offered several important advantages for the startup. Significantly Lower Capital Requirement A comparable newly built hydrogen plant would have required an investment of well over $10 million. Acquiring an existing plant gave the startup a much more capital-efficient route to securing hydrogen production capacity. For an early-stage company, avoiding such a large new-build commitment meant more capital could remain available for engineering, site development, construction, permitting, working capital, and other project needs. Immediate Availability The hydrogen plant already existed and was becoming available for removal. The buyer therefore did not need to wait through the extended fabrication cycle associated with a new plant. Suitable Capacity At 2 MMSCFD (2,350 Nm³/hr), the plant provided hydrogen production capacity suitable for the buyer’s renewable hydrogen project. Ability to Inspect Before Purchase The startup could evaluate the actual plant before committing to the transaction. Complete Plant Acquisition Instead of assembling a hydrogen production system from individual pieces of equipment, the buyer could acquire an existing integrated plant. Relocation Opportunity Calumet needed the hydrogen plant removed to make room for a new renewable diesel project, creating strong alignment between the seller’s schedule and the startup’s need for immediately available equipment. A Transaction That Worked for Both Buyer and Seller The project demonstrates how the secondary process plant market can solve two very different industrial challenges in a single transaction. The startup needed affordable hydrogen production capacity quickly. Calumet needed the existing hydrogen plant removed because its footprint was required for a renewable diesel project scheduled for 2022. Rather than demolishing an operating industrial asset solely to clear the site, the hydrogen plant could be sold and redeployed to another clean-fuels project. The buyer gained access to production capacity without committing more than $10 million to a new plant. Calumet gained the site space required to move forward with its own renewable diesel development. Dismantling and Relocation Once the buyer selected and purchased the plant, Phoenix coordinated its dismantling and relocation. Calumet had a tight removal schedule, making execution just as important as finding the right buyer. Using plant-approved contractors, Phoenix arranged the dismantlement and relocation of the hydrogen plant. The work was performed during the Montana winter, adding weather and logistical challenges, but the project was completed safely and within the required schedule. Phoenix’s involvement extended throughout the acquisition process, including: Targeted market sourcing Identification of multiple plant alternatives Coordination of buyer inspection Transaction support Dismantling Contractor coordination Relocation Schedule management This integrated approach helped the startup move rapidly from an urgent equipment requirement to ownership of a relocatable hydrogen production asset. The Buyer’s Result Through Phoenix Equipment, the clean fuels startup inspected, purchased, dismantled, and relocated the hydrogen plant within approximately five months. That compressed timeline was especially important for an early-stage company attempting to advance a new renewable hydrogen project without the capital burden and delays associated with a conventional new build. Instead of committing well over $10 million to a newly manufactured hydrogen plant, the company acquired an existing production system that was already available for inspection and relocation. Strategic Advantages for the Buyer Avoided a new hydrogen plant investment of well over $10 million Five-month timeline from search and evaluation through purchase and relocation Lower capital requirement, particularly important for a startup company Immediate access to existing hydrogen production capacity Avoidance of new-equipment engineering and fabrication lead time Three plant alternatives identified and presented by Phoenix Ability to inspect the selected plant before acquisition Acquisition of a complete hydrogen production system Phoenix-managed dismantling and relocation Faster route to advancing a time-sensitive renewable hydrogen project The Seller’s Result For Calumet, the transaction addressed an equally important project requirement. The footprint occupied by the existing hydrogen plant was needed for a new renewable diesel construction project. Selling the plant for relocation allowed Calumet to clear the required area while transferring productive equipment to another industrial user rather than simply treating the entire facility as demolition material. Strategic Advantages for Calumet Plant removed within a tight project schedule Critical site footprint made available for new construction Existing hydrogen assets transferred to another clean-fuels project Phoenix coordinated dismantling using plant-approved contractors Safe completion during difficult Montana winter conditions Productive reuse of an existing industrial asset instead of demolition From Startup Requirement to Relocatable Hydrogen Plant in Five Months The Calumet hydrogen plant project illustrates two of the most important advantages of buying a second-hand chemical process plant: capital efficiency and speed to market. For this startup, building a new hydrogen plant would have required an investment of well over $10 million and a much longer project schedule. Phoenix provided another path. When an appropriate plant was not immediately available in Phoenix’s inventory, the company searched the broader industrial market, identified multiple alternatives, and enabled the buyer to select and inspect the plant that best fit its requirements. Within approximately five months, the startup had moved from an urgent capacity requirement to the purchase, dismantling, and relocation of an existing hydrogen production plant. For the buyer, that meant preserving critical startup capital while obtaining production capacity much faster than a conventional new-build approach. For Calumet, it meant clearing valuable site space required for its renewable diesel project. The result demonstrates how a used process plant can allow an emerging industrial company to deploy scarce capital more efficiently, shorten its development schedule, and acquire proven production capacity without waiting for a new facility to be built from the ground up.  

Chinese Chemical Producer Acquires Complete Hydrazine Plant and Advanced Process Technology Used Plant Acquisition Provides a Faster Path to Modernizing Hydrazine Production A large Chinese chemical producer needed to modernize an existing hydrazine production facility that relied on older process technology. Rather than develop an entirely new plant from the ground up, the company evaluated an alternative available through Phoenix Equipment: a complete hydrazine hydrate plant formerly operated by Arch Chemicals in Lake Charles, Louisiana, together with its associated Ketazine process know-how. The acquisition gave the buyer access to an integrated process plant, established production technology, and major equipment already designed to operate as a complete system. Phoenix then managed the complex dismantling, match-marking, packing, and relocation preparation required to move the facility from the United States to China. For Arch Chemicals, the transaction also created substantial value by monetizing plant equipment and process know-how the company no longer intended to use while meeting its site-clearance objectives. The Buyer’s Challenge The Chinese producer already manufactured hydrazine but wanted to replace an existing facility that used older production technology. A conventional new-build project would have required the buyer to develop or license a process design, engineer a complete facility, source major equipment, and manage fabrication before construction could begin. The Arch Chemicals plant offered a different path. Instead of starting with a blank sheet of paper, the buyer could acquire an existing integrated production facility along with the process know-how required to support its future use. Why the Arch Chemicals Plant Was a Strong Fit The Arch facility used the Ketazine process for hydrazine hydrate production. Compared with older Raschig and urea-based processes, the Ketazine route offered the buyer an opportunity to move toward more advanced production technology with improved energy and environmental performance. The acquisition included more than individual pieces of used equipment. The buyer obtained: A complete hydrazine hydrate process plant Established Ketazine process technology and know-how Major process equipment engineered to operate together Existing plant configuration and process integration Equipment suitable for dismantling, relocation, and reuse A coordinated relocation solution managed by Phoenix Equipment This combination of physical assets and process knowledge made the plant especially valuable to a buyer seeking to upgrade an existing manufacturing operation. Acquiring a Complete Plant Instead of Individual Equipment One of the major advantages of buying an existing chemical process plant is the ability to acquire an already integrated production system. Rather than sourcing reactors, columns, vessels, heat exchangers, and other major equipment separately, the buyer was able to evaluate a plant that had already been engineered around a specific production process. This can reduce many of the uncertainties associated with assembling a new process facility from individual pieces of equipment. In this case, the buyer was not simply purchasing second-hand machinery. It was acquiring a complete process solution with established technology and know-how that could be redeployed to support a new generation of hydrazine production. Phoenix Identified the Buyer and Structured the Transaction After Arch Chemicals ceased hydrazine production at the Lake Charles facility, Phoenix acquired the plant and its associated process know-how. Phoenix then conducted a worldwide marketing effort to identify industrial buyers that could make productive use of the facility. The eventual buyer was a large Chinese chemical producer whose existing operation created a strong technical and strategic fit for the plant. The transaction connected two very different requirements: Arch Chemicals had a valuable plant it no longer needed. The Chinese producer needed a more advanced production platform. Phoenix created the bridge between those requirements. Dismantling and Preparing the Plant for International Relocation Buying a complete used process plant is only valuable if the equipment can be safely dismantled, preserved, transported, and ultimately reassembled at its new location. Phoenix therefore provided much more than transaction support. The scope included: Match-marking equipment and components for future reassembly Plant dismantling Rigging and handling of major process equipment Packing for transportation Inland freight Preparation for international shipment Removal and cleanup of additional structures at the Arch site The project presented substantial engineering and logistical challenges. Among the major components were four stainless steel process columns more than 200 feet tall and weighing over 200,000 pounds each. Phoenix managed the dismantling and handling of these oversized components while working within an industrial complex that continued to have active operations. Work began in November 2011 and was safely completed in June 2012. The Buyer’s Result The Chinese producer acquired more than a collection of used chemical equipment. It acquired an integrated hydrazine production plant, established Ketazine process technology, and the associated know-how required to support the modernization of its manufacturing operation. Strategic Advantages for the Buyer Access to more advanced production technology than the process used in its existing facility Acquisition of a complete integrated plant rather than assembling major equipment individually Transfer of process know-how alongside the physical equipment Existing engineered plant configuration available for evaluation and reuse Reduced development burden compared with creating an entirely new process facility from the ground up Phoenix-managed dismantling and relocation preparation International redeployment of proven chemical production assets from the United States to China The project demonstrates that a used plant acquisition can offer strategic value well beyond equipment cost. For the right buyer, an existing facility can provide access to production capacity, process design, major equipment, and operating know-how in a single transaction. The Seller’s Result For Arch Chemicals, the sale provided a way to recover value from a facility that no longer had a role in the company’s production strategy. Rather than treating the plant solely as a demolition or scrap project, Arch was able to monetize both the physical equipment and the associated process know-how. The transaction also addressed an important site-management requirement: the idled facility needed to be removed from an industrial complex that remained in operation. Strategic Advantages for Arch Chemicals Substantial financial recovery from a plant no longer required Monetization of valuable process know-how Removal of an idled facility within a defined schedule Safe dismantling within an active industrial site Cleanup of additional structures Productive reuse of major process equipment instead of reducing the plant to scrap From an Idled U.S. Plant to a Production Asset in China The Arch Chemicals project demonstrates how the secondary process plant market can create strategic value for both buyer and seller. A Chinese chemical producer needed a more advanced production platform. Arch Chemicals had a complete hydrazine plant and process technology it no longer intended to use. Phoenix Equipment connected those requirements and managed the work required to transform an idled U.S. chemical plant into a relocatable production asset. For the buyer, the transaction provided an integrated plant, more advanced process technology, and a practical route to upgrading its hydrazine production operation. For the seller, it turned an unused industrial asset into meaningful financial recovery while achieving the required site-clearance objective. The result illustrates a broader advantage of buying and relocating existing chemical process plants: when the technology, equipment condition, capacity, and economics align, a used plant can provide a faster and more capital-efficient path to modernizing production than starting entirely from new.