Food-Quality Gas Market Growth Rate Projected to Reach 6.9% by 2034
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The food-grade gases market, a significant sector within the industrial gases industry, is experiencing steady growth and transformation. With a projected value of USD 12.3 billion by 2034, the market is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.9% from 2025 to 2034.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) holds a dominant position in the market, capturing more than a 44.8% share in 2024. This is primarily due to the vast application of CO2 in the Beverage Carbonation sector, which is the largest for food-grade gases, with global demand directly tied to beverage consumption trends.
The Meat, Poultry & Seafood Industry and Freezing & Chilling sectors jointly held a dominant market position in 2024, capturing more than 81% of the food-grade gases market. The Meat, Poultry & Seafood Industry captured more than a 36.2% share, while Freezing & Chilling accounted for more than a 44.7% share.
In the Meat, Poultry & Seafood Industry, controlled atmosphere storage using nitrogen slows down the ripening of stored bulk fruits and vegetables, allowing for seasonal produce to be available year-round. Meanwhile, liquid nitrogen (LIN) is used for quick freezing and chilling, preserving food's texture, moisture, and taste, particularly in high-quality frozen seafood, poultry, and premium ice cream.
Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) is another key application, using nitrogen (N2) and CO2 to extend the shelf life of various food products, reducing global food waste. Air Products is innovating in this area with STARZON high-barrier MAP films to extend the shelf life of fresh food products.
Technological advancements, such as the adoption of cryogenic freezing technologies and on-site gas generation systems, are key drivers of market growth. For instance, Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation (TNSC) is expanding its food-grade gas business across Asia, particularly in the frozen food and beverage sectors.
Regulatory bodies like the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) enforce stringent quality standards, such as BIS standard IS 307 for carbon dioxide purity. The Make in India program has also promoted domestic manufacturing, enhancing the availability and affordability of industrial gases.
Key players in the market include Linde PLC, Air Liquide, Messer Group GmbH, and Air Products. Linde PLC and Air Products are expanding their high-purity food-grade CO2 production and supply capabilities across North America. The Messer Group GmbH is offering certified green carbon dioxide derived from bio-based sources, appealing to environmentally conscious food and beverage producers. Air Liquide recently launched Food Guard, a digital platform for full traceability and quality control of food-grade gases.
In 2024, the U.S. in North America led the food-grade gases market with a 37.8% share, valued at approximately USD 2.3 billion. However, the market landscape may change with the expansion plans of key players and the ongoing technological advancements.
Despite the lack of specific publicly available information regarding Linde PLM's market position or future changes in the production and distribution of high-purity food-grade CO2 products in North America, it is clear that the food-grade gases market is a dynamic and evolving sector.
