Industrial gas industry derives 31 % of its demand from metal production like steel and fabrication. Major large scale operators have onsite plants to have economies of transport . The second largest demand comes from chemical processing and petroleum refining market. Natural gas comprises 15 % of India’s primary energy consumption. The medical/healthcare market, uses oxygen with expanding healthcare particularly with home healthcare is also improving demand.
Indian steel sector majors and refineries have expanded their capacities in the last 3 years driving up the demand for industrial gases. The merchant segment gas demand has also increased in automobile, fabrication and healthcare at a faster rate than GDP. With advent in technology, new steel production methods use more oxygen and also steel treatment and steel forming mills also uses oxygen and neutral gas like argon. Helium is also used in MRI Scan machines is also improving demand over the years. Hydrogen is gaining prominence with fuel cells and most companies are striving to develop technologies that can efficiently exploit the potential of hydrogen. Modern application in the food processing industry, agro industries are also growing at a tremendous pace
Gases Industry can play a major role in Industrial waste water treatment through Mix flo oxygenation , and even oxygen as O3 (Ozone) us widely used to treat drinking water avoiding use of Chlorine – a corrosive gas. Delignification in the paper industry demands oxygen avoiding use of Chlorine for bleaching.
The gas industry in India is highly fragmented with all four major multinationals, regional players and refillers taking the unorganized market. The market is also segmented into tonnage gases, packaged gases and cylinder gases. These are three different distribution modes through which industrial gases are supplied depending upon the requirement. Overall, Industrial gases market in the country is expected to grow at a healthy CAGR of 14% by 2018.
List of Industrial Gas Manufacturers in India