Linde GroupEdit

The Linde Group is a German multinational that ranks among the world's leading producers of industrial gases and a major provider of engineering solutions for gas handling and processing. Its heritage traces back to the late 19th century, rooted in the innovations of Carl von Linde and a long tradition of applying cryogenic and gas-separation technology to metal production, medicine, electronics, and food processing. Over the decades the company expanded through a series of acquisitions and reorganizations, becoming a global powerhouse in both gas supply and the engineering of gas-processing plants. In 2018, the Linde Group merged with Praxair to form Linde plc, a single, globally integrated company listed in multiple markets and operating in roughly 100 countries with tens of thousands of employees. The move created scale, streamlined procurement, and sharpened competitiveness in a sector where reliability and safety drive value for customers across steel, chemicals, energy, healthcare, and manufacturing.

From a policy and business-access perspective, the Linde group has been a touchstone for how large-scale industrial gas operations can boost productivity and industrial modernization. Its innovations in air separation technology, cryogenics, and process engineering enable customers to operate with higher efficiency, lower emissions per unit of output, and more consistent quality. At the same time, the sheer size of the combined entity has made it a focal point in discussions about competition policy, supply security, and the role of large, tech-driven manufacturers in a global economy. The company maintains a strong emphasis on safety, regulatory compliance, and practical investments in training and technology that support a healthy industrial base.

History

Origins and early growth

The lineage of the Linde Group begins with the Munich-based inventor Carl von Linde and the development of refrigeration and gas separation technologies in the 19th century. This work laid the groundwork for the modern industrial gas industry, enabling new approaches to steel production, chemical processing, and food preservation. Over the 20th century the business evolved from a family-led enterprise into a broad industrial group focused on atmospheric gases, specialty gases, and engineering services for gas handling and power generation. The Linde brand became synonymous with reliability in critical manufacturing processes and hospital and laboratory applications.

Consolidation into a global group

As markets globalized, the company expanded through strategic acquisitions and partnerships, aligning its gas-production capabilities with engineering and construction capabilities to deliver complete gas systems and plants. The result was a diversified portfolio spanning on-site gas generation, large-scale air separation units, cryogenic equipment, and a broad spectrum of gas products for customers in metals, chemicals, electronics, healthcare, and food industries. The Linde Group developed a reputation for integrating technology with scale to deliver consistent performance for complex industrial processes.

The Praxair merger and the birth of Linde plc

In 2018, the Linde Group completed a transformative merger with Praxair, creating Linde plc—a single business entity that operates worldwide and trades on major markets such as the New York Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange. The merger produced one of the largest industrial gases and engineering companies in the world, with a diversified footprint across regions, a broad product lineup, and a focus on safe, efficient supply chains. The new structure concentrated value on global scale, investment in technology, and the ability to serve large, integrated customers in sectors like steelmaking, chemicals, electronics, and healthcare.

Operations and products

Industrial gases: oxygen, nitrogen, argon, helium, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and specialty gases are produced for numerous sectors, from metals processing to pharmaceutical manufacturing. These gases enable controlled atmospheres, combustion optimization, and process efficiency. See industrial gas for the broader category.
Gas processing and equipment: the company designs and builds gas processing plants, including air separation units (ASUs), cryogenic equipment, and gas handling systems that serve customers both on-site and through regional distribution networks. See air separation unit.
Systems integration and engineering: Linde Engineering and related divisions provide turnkey solutions for gas production, storage, and distribution, helping customers scale operations with reliability. See Linde Engineering.
Market applications: major customers include the steel and automotive sectors, chemical and petrochemical producers, electronics manufacturers, healthcare providers, and food and beverage processors. See steelmaking and semiconductors.

The group emphasizes safety, quality control, and compliance across its production lines and installations. Its products and services are integral to energy efficiency, process safety, and production reliability in high-demand industries. See process safety and environmental management for related topics.

Global footprint and corporate structure

Linde operates production facilities, distribution networks, and engineering centers across many regions, enabling just-in-time delivery of gases and rapid response to customer needs. The combined company maintains a centralized governance framework, with regional operations tailored to local markets, regulatory environments, and customer bases. The integration with Praxair broadened the geographic reach and deepened the portfolio of gas products and engineering services, reinforcing Linde plc's position as a global industry leader. See globalization and corporate governance for related topics.

Controversies and debates

Competition and market structure: The 2018 merger faced scrutiny from competition authorities in multiple jurisdictions due to concerns about market concentration in the industrial gas sector. Regulators sought to maintain competitive outcomes by requiring divestments and other remedies. Supporters argued that the merger delivered scale economies, supply reliability, and price efficiencies for large industrial customers, while critics warned about potential price power and reduced supplier diversity for some segments. See antitrust law and competition policy.
Pricing and customer power: As with other large global suppliers, customers sometimes debate the balance between price, service levels, and access to on-site generation capabilities. Proponents of market-guided pricing contend that scale lowers unit costs over time and accelerates investment in new technologies, while critics worry about dependence on a few dominant players for critical manufacturing inputs.
Energy transition and government policy: Linde's involvement in hydrogen production, green and blue hydrogen supply, and other decarbonization technologies positions it at the heart of the energy transition. Supporters emphasize the productivity gains and reliable supply chains that industrial gases enable, while critics may push for aggressive subsidies or policy prescriptions that could distort market signals. A pragmatic, market-oriented approach argues for policy that rewards real performance—cost discipline, safety, and technological innovation—without imposing distortions that hamper competitiveness.
Woke or CSR critiques: In debates about corporate activity beyond core business, some observers label broad social or political engagement as “woke” or extraneous. From a practical standpoint, such criticisms often miss the point that risk management, workforce development, and community investment are integrated into long-run value creation. Linde and peers typically defend their CSR efforts as aligning with safety, compliance, and community resilience while arguing that fundamental profitability and job creation are the true drivers of durable social outcomes. Critics who overemphasize activism without grounding in business fundamentals can misread the incentives that drive investment, innovation, and employment.