BOCGases

BOC Gases was a leading supplier of industrial gases and related equipment, historically the UK division of the British Oxygen Company (BOC Group). The business supplied gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, argon, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and specialty gases to industries including manufacturing, healthcare, food and beverage, electronics, and scientific research. It also offered gas handling equipment and services, including cylinder delivery, bulk gas supply, cryogenic equipment, gas safety systems, and on-site gas generation.

History: The British Oxygen Company originated in the late 19th century to provide oxygen for medical use and expanded into a global line of industrial gases, ultimately forming BOC Group. In 2006, BOC Group was acquired by The Linde Group for about €12 billion, and BOC Gases became the UK arm of Linde’s global operations. In 2018, Linde merged with Praxair to form Linde plc, with the industrial gas business within Linde continuing under the Linde brand. In many markets, the BOC Gases name was phased out in favor of Linde Gases, although legacy branding persisted during transitional periods.

Products and markets: The portfolio included atmospheric gases (nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide), process gases (hydrogen, helium, specialty gas mixes), and related equipment and services such as cylinder supply, bulk gas delivery, cryogenic equipment, and gas safety training.

Today: Most markets now market these products under the Linde Gases brand as part of Linde plc, though BOC Gases is remembered as a long-standing regional brand in the history of industrial gases.