Air Liquide gas molecules at the heart of our daily lives
Published on June 20, 2024
3 minutes
Air Liquide is a world leader in gases, technologies and services for industry and healthcare. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen are essential small molecules for life, matter and energy. They embody Air Liquide’s scientific territory and have been at the core of the company’s activities since its creation in 1902. From your mobile phones to your medicines, from your bicycle to your cosmetics, zoom in on these small molecules.
Cosmetics
Cosmetics
Nitrogen preserves the quality of cosmetics! It is used to fill the empty space between the product and its container. This ensures the bottle is completely airtight and protects the fragrance.
Sodas
Sodas
To get bubbles into beverages, gas is obviously required! Thanks to the carbonation process, a liquid is infused with carbon dioxide, bringing sparkle to our favorite drinks!
Food
Food
During the packaging stage of the food processing procedure, gas - mostly nitrogen - is injected into the bag or basket to slow bacterial growth and oxidative reactions, keeping products fresh for longer.
Cars
Cars
When it comes to recycling, used tires are weakened using liquid nitrogen (-196°C) before being crushed into a fine powder which can then be reused for different purposes such as rubber floors and asphalt.
Wine
Wine
Before bottling, the winemaker adjusts the levels of carbon dioxide dissolved into the wine. To increase it, he injects CO2: this is carbonication. To reduce it, he replaces it with nitrogen: this is decarbonication.
Lipstick
Lipstick
Liquid nitrogen rapidly cools the lipstick, guaranteeing its ideal shape and texture for a perfect look while maintaining a high production rate!
Smartphone & computer
Smartphone & computer
Nitrogen, argon, oxygen and helium are essential to the production of the chips in your smartphone and computer. These ultra-pure carrier gases ensure an impurity-free environment for semiconductor manufacturing processes.
Medicine
Medicine
Nitrogen, oxygen, CO₂ help preserve certain medicines' active ingredients and prevent oxidation or contamination. These gases are also used in packaging, distribution and quality control of medicines!
Metal objects
Metal objects
Carbon monoxide, hydrogen, argon, nitrogen, methanol, ammonia, acetylene are used during the heat treatment of the production of everyday metal objects, like cutlery or silverware. This improves different metal properties such as rigidity, resistance and anti-corrosion.
Bicycle
Bicycle
Low-carbon hydrogen makes it possible to produce steel while reducing CO₂ emissions from the steel industry.
