Liquified Atmospheric Gases Market Size, Share, and Industry Analysis, By Gas Type (Oxygen, Argon, Nitrogen, and Others), By Application (Medical, Industrial Cryogenics, Scientific Research, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2025-2032

Liquefied atmospheric gases refer to gases that generally exist in the Earth's atmosphere but have become liquid while doing liquefaction. These gases include oxygen, nitrogen, argon, and carbon dioxide. Liquefaction occurs when gases are exposed to low temperatures and high pressures, resulting in a condensed, liquefied form. Atmospheric gases can be liquefied by applying pressure and decreasing the temperature. When sufficient pressure is applied, the gases are tightly compressed into a small volume. The gas particles get so close to each other that they begin to attract each other enough to form a liquid. 

Cryogenic cooling and adsorption methods are two commonly used gas liquefaction techniques. While cryogenic cooling relies on extremely low temperatures to achieve liquefaction, adsorption uses adsorbents to trap and release gas molecules. Methane (CH4) is an essential factor in the liquefaction of atmospheric gases today due to the rise of greenhouse gas emissions.

• CH4 is significantly more efficient than carbon dioxide at binding heat to the atmosphere, 28 times over 100 years, as estimated in the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (IPCC 2013). Over the last two hundred and fifty years, the concentration of CH4 in the atmosphere has increased by 170.8 percent. In the U.S., primary anthropogenic sources of CH4 are livestock enteric fermentation, natural gas systems, landfills, manure management, coal mining, and petroleum systems.

There are two methods to process liquified atmospheric gases in the industry, the Joule-Thomson method and the Claude process. The Joule-Thomson effect is the process by which a high-pressure gas expands through a small opening or valve. When a pressurized gas is allowed to expand rapidly, its temperature drops. This cooling effect is known as the Joule-Thomson effect. The gas can be gradually cooled and liquefied using a series of expansion valves and heat exchangers. This method is often used to liquefy gases such as nitrogen and argon. The Claude process, named after its inventor, Georges Claude, is another method used to liquefy atmospheric gases. It involves a multi-step process involving compression, cooling, and expansion.

Liquified atmospheric gas was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, with global gas demand down around 4% in the first half of 2020 due to a combination of the COVID-19 crisis and an exceptionally mild winter in the northern hemisphere. Most of the decline in gas consumption occurred in the mature markets of Europe, North America, and Asia.

KEY INSIGHTS

The report covers the following key insights:

• Recent Advancements in the Liquified Atmospheric Gases Market
• Key Industry Trends
• Regulatory Landscape for the Liquified Atmospheric Gases Market
• Key Industry Developments (Mergers, Acquisitions, and Partnerships)
• Impact of COVID-19 on the Market

SEGMENTATION

ANALYSIS BY GAS TYPE

Based on gas type, the market is segmented into oxygen, argon, nitrogen, and others. Oxygen gas leads the market as it is separated through atmospheric gases in the liquefaction process at most for various end-user applications in the industry. There are numerous medical uses for oxygen, treating lack of breath, and restoring tissues by providing oxygen availability. Nitrogen is one of the other leading gas types in the process, which has applications in fertilizers, food processing, and manufacturing of plastic. Others include carbon dioxide and trace gases.

ANALYSIS BY APPLICATION

Based on application, the market is divided into medical, industrial cryogenics, scientific research, and others. The industrial cryogenics segment dominates the market. Industrial cryogenics include applications of gases, such as nitrogen, argon, oxygen, helium, and trace gases., which all are extracted through the liquefaction of atmospheric gases through gas separations. Further, these gases are used to power fuel cell vehicles and microelectronic equipment, which are growing in the industry 4.0. Medical purposes are mainly focused on oxygen and nitrogen, whereas scientific research is done through all by-products of atmospheric gases found in the Earth’s upper layer of atmosphere.

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

The liquified atmospheric gases market has been studied across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. North America is the leading region in the production of atmospheric gas across the globe, with many global companies investing in the research and commercialization of the type. The applications of liquified atmospheric gases in the U.S. started in 2016. Air Products & Chemicals company began producing the gas on a commercial scale with consumption of 9.7 million tons in 2022 of electricity and steam GHG emissions by the company, which was a slight increase from 2021 due to increased production of atmospheric gases. The region's dominant position is due to the growing demand for atmospheric gases in various industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, and electronics. Asia Pacific is following North America in the progress of the market, as many firms in Japan and China are working toward an increase in the production of Nitrogen and Oxygen for various industrial and medical purposes. Demand for atmospheric gases is increasing in Europe due to industrial expansion and growing applications of gas storage in an efficient manner.

KEY PLAYERS COVERED

The report includes profiles of key players, such as Air Products & Chemicals, Air Liquide, Linde, INOX Air Products, Airgas Inc, Gazprom OAO, and Chevron.

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

• In May 2023, Air Liquid converted a liquified petroleum gas station in Kobe, Japan, into a hydrogen production and refueling station. With the help of the liquified atmospheric gas process, the company is willing to spend USD 3.71 million for each new production site of hydrogen in the country. This site is used for refueling hydrogen-fuel-based taxis in the city.
• In June 2021, Air Products and its subsidiary Air Products Canada Ltd. signed an MOU with the Government of Canada and the province of Alberta to install a hydrogen production plant in Edmonton, Alberta. In line with this vision, in 2018, Air Products broke ground on the core of its global energy complex in Edmonton, starting with a USD 1.3 billion (CAD) clean hydrogen production and liquefaction facility scheduled for completion in 2024.