Annual Report 2023

Business model

Business model

A unique model

One of Air Liquide’s great strengths is the resilience of its model, which relies notably on the diversity of its activities serving almost all sectors of the economy. The strong integration of the various activities allows the Group to create synergies that are not limited to the industrial aspect, but also include technological expertise and human resources as well as financial management.

The specificity of Air Liquide’s business model is a pillar on which the Group relies to pursue its long-term responsible growth dynamic.

This schema shows Air Liquide's unique business model

Ressources : air, electricity, renewable electricity, natural gas, biomethane, water.

  1. Engineering and Construction : plants and equipment for industrial gas production is done for third-party clients or for the group.
  2. Large Industries supply the following gasses in large quantities: CO2 (thanks to CO2 capture), H2, O2, thanks to SMRs(b),Electrolyzers et ASUs(a). Here are the customers served: carbon capture(c) customers, refining customers, petrochemicals customers and steel customers.
  3. The Industrial Merchant is in constant innovation and has a wide diversity of customers, some of whom are supplied thanks to "on site" facilities. It delivers to a filling center and to bulk and/or cylinder customer.
  4. For Healthcare, medical gasses are supplied for hospitals, filling centers as well as for patients at home.
  5. Electronics combines several activities across the entire sector production chain: N2 generator, Electronics customer, filling center and advanced materials production center.
  6. Global Markets & Technologies: energy transition technologies, hydrogen solutions for transportation, deep tech customers.

Deliveries are made within a radius of approximately 250 km.

(a) ASU: air gases production unit (air separation unit).

(b) SMR: hydrogen production unit (steam methane reformer).

(c) Carbon Capture: for hard-to-abate sectors to decarbonize their activities.

(d) On-site: small gas generator on the customer site.