# Argon: Emissions

How you split the power bill changes its footprint

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/argon/emissions/

What this tab covers The greenhouse-gas footprint per tonne, split by lifecycle phase (feedstock, production, movement, use, end of life), the global total, other environmental impacts, levers and low-carbon routes, India's position, and where the investment opportunity lies. Emission intensity 0.25 t CO2e per t range about 0.05-0.5 · allocated ASU power of about 0.3-0.6 MWh per t at a 0.45-0.5 kg CO2 per kWh grid; allocation method changes the result

Per t of liquid argon, cradle-to-gate. Intensity: indicative (basis: energy use x grid intensity). Global total: not published.

#### Share of footprint by lifecycle phase
 Production / process 85% Movement 15%

#### Footprint by lifecycle phase

| Phase | Intensity | Share | Main sources of emissions | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Feedstock** | zero (air) | 0% | none | air is free | not applicable |
| **Production / process** | about 0.2 t CO2e per t | 85% | allocated ASU electricity | allocation by mass or value moves the figure | indicative |
| **Movement** | about 0.03 t CO2e per t | 15% | cryogenic trucking over longer distances than oxygen | indicative | indicative |
| **Use** | not applicable | – | inert, returns to air | argon is not a greenhouse gas | not applicable |
| **End of life** | not applicable | – | vented | argon is seldom recycled in large-volume uses (USGS); some fabs and crystal pullers recycle it | USGS MCS 2026 |

#### Other environmental impacts

None material beyond power use.

#### Levers to cut emissions

- Renewable power for ASUs
- Argon recovery and recycling in crystal pullers and fabs
- Higher argon recovery in new ASUs

#### India

No India-specific data; footprint follows the coal-heavy grid.
 Emission figures are indicative global averages from the life-cycle studies named; actual footprints vary widely by site, energy mix and method.

#### Low-carbon routes

| Route | Intensity | Cost premium | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **ASU argon on renewable power** | near zero | little or none | gas majors' renewable PPAs (indicative) | indicative |

 For a climate investor Argon is a small emitter. The angle is supply security for solar ingot and wafer plants that India is building under its PLI scheme, which need reliable UHP argon, and argon recycling systems for crystal pullers. Indian argon prices above Chinese export levels suggest room for new argon-capable ASUs near solar and steel clusters.

## Other sections

- [Summary](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/argon/index.md)
- [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/argon/overview/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/argon/correlation/index.md)
- [Production route](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/argon/routes/index.md)
- [Production](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/argon/production/index.md)
- [Feedstocks](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/argon/feedstocks/index.md)
- [Cycles](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/argon/cycles/index.md)
- [Trading](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/argon/trading/index.md)
- [Movement](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/argon/movement/index.md)
- [Regulation](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/argon/regulation/index.md)
- [Characteristics](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/argon/characteristics/index.md)
- [Relationships](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/argon/links/index.md)