1906: Course for internationalization  [ Return towards  Our history  ]

As of 1906, the company’s global expansion takes off at a staggering rate, with a new country added every year to the Air Liquide world map. This momentum starts in Europe with Belgium in 1906, Italy, Greece and Spain in 1909, and later continues into other continents, to include Japan in 1907 and Canada a few years later. Entities are also located in Russia, Germany, and the Far East; Air Liquide thus follows the industrial growth trend in large countries, notably responding to a strong demand for oxygen used for welding processes.

In 1916, Air Liquide ventures into the United States and also establishes itself in China. Its international boom pursues its course into the rest of Asia in Singapore in 1917 and Malaysia in 1927, before confirming itself in the Middle East in Lebanon in 1928.

In the late 1930s and throughout the 1940s, the Air Liquide Group develops in South America, and reinforces its presence in Africa in the 1950s and 1960s.

The following decades are spent securing its presence on all the continents.

At the start of the 21st century, the Group bolsters its activities in Europe with the acquisition of its rival, Messer (2005), and expands its technological portfolio with the acquisition of the German engineering company, Lurgi (2007).

This new century is also characterized by firm positions taken in high potential emerging economies in Egypt (2002), Qatar (2004), Oman (2005), Kuwait (2006), Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (2008), but also in China where the Group is present in the majority of regions enjoying dynamic economic growth. In 2008, Air Liquide expands throughout India, particularly in the health industry.

In 2010, Air Liquide become established in Panama and Turkey. At the beginning of 2011, the Group signed a contract, with one of the major steel producer in Mexico, which marks its entry in this country.

Today, the diversity of Air Liquide’s markets and geographical presence provides a solid and sustainable base for its development and strengthens its ability to conquer new territories.

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