DIG Airgas acquisition: a key milestone for Air Liquide's growth in Asia
Published on January 13, 2026
3 minutes
On January 13, 2026, Air Liquide reached a new milestone with the finalization of the DIG Airgas acquisition. This operation marks a pivotal move to accelerate the Group’s growth in Asia. Ronnie Chalmers, Group Vice President, Asia-Pacific, shares with us his vision.
The acquisition of DIG Airgas is the Group's largest transaction in a decade. How will it benefit the Air Liquide business?
It’s a transformative step! DIG Airgas is the third-largest producer of industrial gases in South Korea. It is a major player in all key industrial areas and has the largest pipeline network in the country. This acquisition therefore enables us to significantly expand our local presence.
But DIG Airgas' activities are also highly complementary to our existing activities, particularly in the industrial gases and healthcare sectors. This enables us to broaden our value proposition. A prime example of this synergy is the combination of DIG Airgas' extensive network of air separation units with our well-established hydrogen production infrastructure. This integration perfectly positions us to offer a complete portfolio of solutions to the market.
Finally, this acquisition significantly strengthens our global footprint and offers significant growth potential for our activities.
With the completion of the acquisition of DIG Airgas, Air Liquide is expanding significantly in South Korea and more broadly in Asia. Why is this region so strategic?
South Korea is a country of industrial excellence, currently ranking fourth in the world in the industrial gases market. And we are seeing massive acceleration: the market is expected to double by 2035. The country's strategic transition relies on innovation and decarbonization, two dynamics fully aligned with Air Liquide commitments.
The most striking trend is the rapid acceleration of the semiconductor sector, fueled by digitization and the rise of artificial intelligence. These technologies require an unprecedented volume of ultra-pure carrier gases. The acquisition of DIG Airgas immediately positions us as a leader in this field in South Korea and consolidates our global leadership in the electronics field.
In Asia in general, we are witnessing a transformation, marked by an acceleration of relocation in strategic sectors. This industrial restructuring is opening up new opportunities.
How do acquisitions such as this one reinforce Air Liquide's positioning?
Our goal is clear: accelerated, profitable growth in high-potential geographic areas. And that's exactly what we are achieving. While our organic development is a powerful driver, targeted acquisitions act as catalysts to accelerate our growth. This is particularly true in Asia, where we are strengthening our presence where necessary.
Our model is based on our ability to integrate excellence and create immediate value. This transaction will contribute very quickly to the Group's net income growth, thanks to DIG Airgas' impressive portfolio of ongoing projects and the synergies we will create by joining forces.
Through this acquisition, we are strengthening Air Liquide’s growth trajectory.