Merchant Gases

Through our Merchant Gases business, we supply oxygen, nitrogen, argon, helium and hydrogen as well as certain medical and specialty gases to a wide variety of industrial and medical customers. We deliver most gases via bulk supply, by tanker or tube trailer, in liquid or gaseous form. For customers requiring small volumes, we supply product in cylinders and dewars, or “packaged gases.” We also produce gases for some customers via small cryogenic or noncryogenic on-site generators through sale of gas contracts and some sale of equipment.

Tonnage Gases, Equipment and Energy

Tonnage Gases is our business supplying large quantities of hydrogen, synthesis gas, carbon monoxide, oxygen and nitrogen, mainly to petroleum refining, chemical and metallurgical customers under long-term contracts. We generally build a facility adjacent to or nearby our customer’s facility and deliver product through a pipeline. Our Equipment business provides liquefied natural gas (LNG) heat exchangers, air separation plants, hydrocarbon recovery and purification equipment, and helium distribution equipment to industry. Within Energy, we own and operate power generation and flue gas treatment facilities and are developing technologies to serve energy markets of the future, including gasification and alternative energy technologies.

Electronics and Performance Materials

Through our Electronics and Performance Materials business, we provide material solutions to a broad range of global industries, leveraging our expertise in chemical synthesis, analytical technology, process engineering and surface science. We supply specialty and tonnage gases, specialty and bulk chemicals, services and equipment to the electronics industry for manufacturing silicon and compound semiconductors, displays and photovoltaic devices. We also provide performance chemical solutions for the coatings, inks, adhesives, civil engineering, personal care, institutional and industrial cleaning, mining, oil field, polyurethane and other industries.

Healthcare

Through our Healthcare business, we provide respiratory therapies, home medical equipment and infusion services to more than 500,000 patients in their homes. We operate in 15 countries and are the market leader in Spain, Portugal, the United Kingdom and Mexico. Our specialist teams serve patients with conditions ranging from chronic lung disease, asthma and emphysema to sleep apnea. And we strive to improve their quality of life, providing oxygen therapy, nebulizer therapy, sleep management therapy, anti-infective therapy, beds and wheelchairs, and many other products and services.