Air Liquide announces a major Healthcare acquisition in Japan

Air Liquide is expanding its healthcare business in Japan with the acquisition of Sogo Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha (“SSKK”), a major Japanese player with a strong presence in the home healthcare and medical gases markets especially in the Tokyo region.

Present in the Japanese market for 60 years, SSKK is specialized in the medical gases field serving more than 2,000 hospitals and clinics and home treatment for patients suffering from respiratory diseases including: sleep apnea, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and chronic respiratory failure. This acquisition represents a major development of the Healthcare activity locally where it increases the number of patients served at home by Air Liquide in Japan to reach 20,000.

Well known for its medical staffs’ know-how, SSKK has more than 150 employees and generated revenue of approximately €27 million in 2016. Air Liquide will rely on the commitment of the teams in place to pursue the development of SSKK business.

Worldwide, Japan now ranks as the third-largest Respiratory Home Healthcare market after the US and France. Home Healthcare services in Japan are expected to continue increasing, supported by a robust healthcare system and social welfare coverage reaching almost 100% of the population.

With this acquisition, Air Liquide strengthens its footprint in Japan both in medical gases to hospitals and in home healthcare business.

François Jackow, member of the Air Liquide Group’s Executive Committee, supervising the Healthcare activities, said: “With this acquisition Air Liquide pursues the development of its Healthcare activity in a growing Asian market that benefits from a strong potential. We are delighted to welcome SSKK’s teams in Air Liquide Group. Thanks to their know-how combined with Air Liquide expertise, we will deliver greater value to healthcare professionals and patients. This acquisition, which allows us to develop our activities in Japan, will also fuel our future growth”.