Industrial gases are on the rise

By Tom Stundza, Executive Editor -- Purchasing, 9/20/2006 9:56:00 AM

Increasing demand for industrial gases—atop a major industry consolidation—has led suppliers to push a round of price increases in recent weeks. Linde Group, which has absorbed BOC Group, is pushing for a mid-October increase in domestic helium prices of 10%-15%.  Praxair has announced a 10-15% price increase for several gases, as well as increasing rates for cylinder rental and other services; Air Liquide Industrial U.S. has set a 10% hike for most of its gases and a 15% increase in facilities fees, and Air Products & Chemicals is boosting liquid-bulk oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen by 10%, argon and helium by 20% and will increase its monthly service charge schedule pricing for storage. (Meanwhile, Linde is selling off parts of its global helium business to Taiyo Nippon Sanso of Japan, including long-term helium supply contracts with sources in the U.S., Poland and Russia. The new assets will be managed by Taiyo’s U.S. subsidiary, Matheson Tri-Gas. Also, Air Products has completed expansion at its Pryor, Okla., industrial gas facility.)