Innovation: a tradition of inventions  [ Return towards  Our history  ]

In 1913, new oxycutting techniques and arc welding innovations are revolutionary tools for shipyards and the railway industry.

In 1952, the cryogenic revolution changes the dimension of the company, which discovers the advantages offered by compressing large quantities of oxygen in cryogenic tanks.

In 1960, Air Liquide inaugurates its first pipeline network connected to the Richemont production unit. It produces 150 tonnes of oxygen a day to supply the steel factories of the basin area. Today, Air Liquide operates 8,500 kilometers of pipeline to distribute nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen.

In 1987, the race to ultra-purity represents a greater stake on the burgeoning electronics market. Air Liquide takes part, primarily by working with the team of the Tsukuba Research Center to develop processes to obtain very high-purity gases.

In 1988, Air Liquide reinvents its main business line. Nitrogen can now be produced directly at the customer’s site using membranes, a new technique.

In 2002, Air Liquide creates AXANE, its subsidiary specialized in the design of fuel cells supplied with hydrogen.

As of today, the Group has eight research centers in Europe, Asia and America and files for a patent every business day.

Air Liquide relies on its strong innovative capacity to develop competitive solutions and support the transformation of its customers and markets.

Discover the Group’s history through…

• Its Shareholders
• A global presence
• Its activities