Air Liquide, founded in 1902 by Georges Claude and Paul Delorme, has grown into a global leader in industrial gases, healthcare, and engineering. The timeline traces its origins, key acquisitions, technological innovations, and strategic expansions over 120 years.
Georges Claude and Paul Delorme found Air Liquide in Paris, France, to produce oxygen using Claude's cryogenic separation process. #corporate #france #invention
Air Liquide opens its first oxygen production plant in Paris, supplying medical and industrial oxygen. #industrial #oxygen
A larger plant is built in Lyon to meet growing demand from the steel and welding industries. #expansion #steel
Air Liquide establishes its first foreign subsidiary in Belgium, marking the start of global operations. #international #belgium
Air Liquide forms a joint venture, Nihon Sanso, to produce oxygen in Japan, becoming one of the first Western companies in the Japanese market. #japan #asia
Air Liquide expands into Italy, Spain, and other European countries, capitalizing on post-war industrial reconstruction. #europe #expansion
Air Liquide acquires La Soudure Autogène, a leading welding equipment manufacturer, entering the welding and cutting markets. #acquisition #welding
Air Liquide establishes operations in Brazil and Argentina, targeting growing industrial and medical markets in the region. #southamerica #emergingmarkets
During World War II, Air Liquide supplies oxygen and other gases to Allied forces, boosting production capacity. #war #wwii
Air Liquide pioneers large-scale tonnage oxygen plants to serve the steel industry, revolutionizing oxygen supply economics. #technology #steel
Air Liquide commissions a 200-ton-per-day air separation unit, setting a new standard for industrial gas production. #engineering #cryogenics
Air Liquide establishes Air Liquide America Corporation to compete in the United States, initially via a small acquisition. #usa #northamerica
Air Liquide acquires Liquid Air Corporation of Canada, strengthening its presence in North America and gaining access to Canadian markets. #canada #acquisition
Air Liquide goes public on the Paris Bourse, raising capital for further expansion and increasing corporate transparency. #finance #ipo
The 1973 oil crisis raises energy costs for air separation, prompting Air Liquide to improve energy efficiency and diversify into healthcare gases. #energy #crisis
Air Liquide begins producing medical oxygen and home healthcare services, forming the foundation of its healthcare division. #healthcare #oxygen
Air Liquide establishes joint ventures in China and South Korea to tap into rapidly growing Asian industrial markets. #china #korea
Édouard de Royère takes over as CEO, leading a period of aggressive international expansion and diversification. #leadership #ceo
Air Liquide acquires Big Three Industries, a major US industrial gas producer, significantly boosting its American market share. #acquisition #usa
Air Liquide launches ultra-high-purity gases for semiconductor manufacturing, entering the electronics supply chain. #semiconductor #electronics
Air Liquide acquires Taylor-Wharton, a leading manufacturer of cryogenic equipment and gas storage systems. #cryogenics #equipment
Air Liquide acquires the North American industrial gas assets of Messer Griesheim, strengthening its position in the US and Canada. #acquisition #northamerica
Alain Joly succeeds Édouard de Royère as CEO, focusing on operational efficiency and emerging markets. #leadership #ceo
Air Liquide acquires the remaining shares of Air Liquide America Corporation, consolidating its US operations. #consolidation #usa
Air Liquide acquires Scott Specialty Gases, a leader in specialty and calibration gases, enhancing its high-value gas portfolio. #specialtygases #acquisition
Air Liquide celebrates 100 years of operation, highlighting its evolution from a small French startup to a global industrial gas leader. #anniversary #history
Air Liquide acquires Messer's industrial gas business in Germany, UK, and US, adding significant capacity and customer base. #acquisition #europe
Benoît Poirier takes over as CEO, driving growth in emerging economies and healthcare. #leadership #ceo
Air Liquide acquires Lurgi's gas processing technology business, strengthening its engineering and project execution capabilities. #engineering #acquisition
Air Liquide begins investing in hydrogen production and refueling infrastructure, positioning itself as a leader in the hydrogen economy. #hydrogen #energy
Air Liquide acquires Linde's home healthcare operations in several European countries, expanding its medical gas services. #healthcare #acquisition
Air Liquide partners with Daimler to build a network of hydrogen refueling stations for fuel cell vehicles in Europe. #hydrogen #partnership
Air Liquide announces the acquisition of Airgas for $13.4 billion, creating the largest industrial gas company in the world. #acquisition #mega
Jean-Marc de Royère becomes CEO, tasked with integrating Airgas and driving sustainable growth. #leadership #ceo
Air Liquide completes the acquisition of Airgas after regulatory approvals, becoming the undisputed leader in the US industrial gas market. #acquisition #airgas
François Jackow takes over as CEO, focusing on digital transformation and sustainability. #leadership #ceo
Air Liquide unveils its 2030 strategic plan targeting sustainable growth, with goals for hydrogen, healthcare, and digitalization. #strategy #sustainability
Air Liquide ramps up production of medical oxygen and supports hospitals worldwide during the COVID-19 crisis. #covid19 #healthcare
Air Liquide acquires the gas and engineering business of Sasol in Africa, expanding its footprint in the continent. #africa #acquisition
Air Liquide announces multi-billion euro investments in green hydrogen production projects in Europe and the US. #hydrogen #investment
Air Liquide reports record annual revenue exceeding €27 billion, driven by strong demand in electronics, healthcare, and hydrogen. #finance #revenue
Air Liquide partners with TotalEnergies to develop a network of hydrogen refueling stations for heavy-duty trucks. #hydrogen #partnership
Air Liquide remains the world's largest industrial gas company by revenue, with operations in over 70 countries and a focus on sustainable solutions. #leadership #future