French industrial gases company Air Liquide has officially completed its acquisition of South Korean integrated gas company DIG Airgas, securing a leading position in the domestic industrial gases market.

Air Liquide officially announced on the 13th that it had completed the acquisition of DIG Airgas. This acquisition is Air Liquide's first major strategic investment in 10 years since its acquisition of Airgas in the US in 2016, doubling its workforce in Korea and securing combined annual sales of approximately 900 million euros.

For over 30 years, Air Liquide has been building its business foundation in Korea, focusing on advanced industrial sectors such as semiconductors, electronics, biotechnology, and clean energy.

DIG Airgas has a robust supply chain and production infrastructure established in major industrial complexes across the country, and the combination of the two companies is expected to simultaneously strengthen the stability of industrial gas supply and technological competitiveness.

In particular, the Korean industrial gas market has grown to become the world's fourth largest and is expected to double by 2035, making it a strategic hub for global companies.

The acquisition was completed ahead of schedule and will allow Air Liquide to accelerate its growth strategy in Asia.

The company plans to strengthen customized solutions for customers in next-generation industries such as semiconductors, batteries, hydrogen energy, and biopharmaceuticals by combining DIG Airgas' geographical strengths with its own technological prowess.

Additionally, around 20 long-term projects have already been secured, which are expected to generate an additional EBITDA of more than €50 million by 2030.

“Thanks to the active support of the Korean government, we were able to complete the acquisition early,” said François Jackow, CEO of Air Liquide. “With the talented people of DIG Airgas, we will strengthen our collaboration with Korean customers and partners and support the national strategic goals in high value-added industries.”

Through this acquisition, Air Liquide will increase its customer accessibility in the Korean market and expand its presence in the industrial, healthcare ·The portfolio will be expanded across core business groups such as clean energy and mobility.

The combination of global technological prowess and local networks is expected to have a positive ripple effect throughout the Korean industrial ecosystem.