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Who we are

The world leader in gas separation membrane technology

Air Liquide is a world leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen are essential small molecules for life, matter and energy. They embody Air Liquide’s scientific territory and have been at the core of the company’s activities since its creation in 1902.

Air Liquide Advanced Separations (ALaS) is the company's brand of industry-leading advanced membrane separation technology, that is a part of the Global Markets & Technologies (GM&T) World Business Unit. The Global Markets & Technologies (GM&T) business unit focuses on markets that require a global approach, helping to invent the future. It offers technological solutions - molecules, equipment and services - to support the development of the energy transition and deep tech. Whether for advanced technologies, industrial solutions, biogas solutions or marine, the objective is to create value for our customers and accelerate Air Liquide's sustainable growth.

In 1988, Air Liquide joined with DuPont to form MEDAL™. This joint venture developed Air Liquide’s first commercial membrane offer for air separation and hydrogen. In 1992 Air Liquide acquired all of the joint venture as MEDAL™ developed composite air separation membranes, which enabled the growth of the business for the next twenty years. Seeking to expand its membrane technology portfolio further, Air Liquide acquired Innovative Membrane Systems (IMS) from Praxair in 2004. IMS gave the MEDAL™ business key technology for aerospace inerting and hydrogen recovery. In 2015 Air Liquide again expanded its membrane technology portfolio with the acquisition of PoroGen Corporation. Based in Massachusetts, PoroGen offers a unique process based on polyether ether ketone (PEEK) membrane materials. PEEK-based membrane enables the use of membrane materials considered too costly or too aggressive for traditional membranes. These new membranes complement Air Liquide’s existing technology and give Air Liquide the broadest portfolio of membrane technology in the industry. With this recent acquisition, Air Liquide changed the name of its membrane division from MEDAL™ to Air Liquide Advanced Separations (ALaS). The Advanced Separations name symbolizes a move towards a more diversified and advanced product offering and a re-invigorated investment in membrane innovation and technology.