What is the position of domestic companies in the industrial gas market? This article outlines the position of Japanese companies, the strengths of the major players and comparisons with overseas companies.
The four companies identified as participants in the industrial gas market are Linde Group, Air Liquide, Taiyo Nippon Sanso and Messer, with Taiyo Nippon Sanso the only Japanese company on the list. Taiyo Nippon Sanso was formed through the integration of the former Taiyo Sanso and Nippon Sanso and is one of the leading companies in Japan's domestic market under Nippon Sanso Holdings. It is strong in high-purity gases, specialty gases and gases for electronic materials, and has an established supply network for advanced industries such as semiconductor and LCD manufacturing.
Compared with overseas companies, Air Liquide and Linde Group have advanced gas purification technologies and reliable supply networks. Their high-purity gases for electronic materials are particularly competitive, although their prices tend to carry a premium. Japanese companies are strong in rapid delivery and customization through services closely tailored to domestic customers. In the domestic market, overseas and Japanese companies compete, with customers choosing between them according to application.