Linde: A History of Industrial Gas and Engineering Innovation

From the early days of mechanical refrigeration to becoming a global leader in industrial gases, Linde has shaped the landscape of modern engineering and chemistry. Founded on the scientific curiosity of Carl von Linde, the company evolved from a specialized German firm into a multinational powerhouse through a series of strategic patents, acquisitions, and complex mergers.

The Foundations of Refrigeration and Air Separation

The company's journey began on June 21, 1879, when Carl von Linde established the Gesellschaft für Linde's Eismaschinen Aktiengesellschaft. Initially, the firm focused on developing mechanical refrigeration systems tailored for the food and brewing industries. This early success provided the foundation for Linde to explore lower temperature systems.

By 1895, Linde secured a patent for the liquefaction of air (the process of converting air into a liquid state by cooling it to extremely low temperatures). This breakthrough led to the development of equipment capable of separating air and other gases. In 1902, Linde patented his separation process, which was implemented at a large-scale plant in Höllriegelskreuth, near Munich, in 1903.

Expansion into the Americas and Chemical Feedstocks

Seeking to enter the American market where industrial-scale oxygen extraction was non-existent, Carl von Linde partnered with Cecil Lightfoot to open the Linde Air Products Factory in Buffalo, New York, in 1907.

Simultaneously, Linde engineers expanded their expertise into water gas separation. This research culminated in the 1909 invention of the Linde–Frank–Caro process, which produced hydrogen and carbon monoxide—essential feedstocks for the rapidly growing chemicals industry.

Uranium used to produce the United States' first atom bombs from 1942 to 1948 was processed by Linde Air Products in Tonawanda, New York.[11] This company originally had been founded as U.S. branch of the German “Gesellschaft für Linde´s Eismaschinen Aktiengesellschaft” in 1907, but had been expropriated in 1917 and was integrated into Union Carbide & Carbon Corporation.[3]: 82–83 The New York Times reported in 1981 that 37 million U.S. gallons (140 million liters) of radioactive caustic wastes from the Manhattan Project was dumped into nearby shallow wells specifically chosen "to hide the source of the contamination".[12] Active remediation of sites in Tonawanda was completed in 2013 and have been in a long-term surveillance and maintenance since 2017.[13]

Diversification and the Impact of World Wars

Linde's ambitions extended beyond gases. In 1904, Carl von Linde co-founded the Güldner Motoren-Gesellschaft mbH, a venture that initially produced engines and tractors. By the 1950s, this branch evolved into a manufacturer of mechanical handling equipment, including forklift trucks. The company also acquired the Aktiengesellschaft für Industriegasverwertung, known as the Heylandt Works.

The geopolitical upheavals of the 20th century significantly altered the company's structure. Following World War I, Linde's U.S. assets were confiscated and integrated into the Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) in 1917 as the Linde Air Products division. This entity would eventually spin off in 1992 as Union Carbide Industrial Gases Inc., later renamed Praxair.

The Era of National Socialism and World War II

During the Nazi regime, Linde AG benefited from Germany's drive for self-sufficiency in synthetic rubber and fuel. In 1935, general manager Friedrich Linde was named a Wehrwirtschaftsführer, a title signifying the company's national importance to German rearmament.

During World War II, Linde's various departments contributed to armaments production. The Heylandt-Gesellschaft für Apparatebau supported the German rocket program, while other branches produced engines and welding equipment. In 1941, Linde manufactured oxygen and helium installations for IG Farben at the Auschwitz concentration camp. Company estimates from mid-1944 indicate that between 400 and 500 forced laborers were employed in its production plants. By the end of the war, the company claimed that 75% of its facilities had been destroyed.

Modern Growth and Strategic Acquisitions

The latter half of the 20th century and the start of the 21st were marked by aggressive expansion and portfolio optimization. Linde acquired the British forklift manufacturer Lansing Bagnall in 1989 and regained the rights to the Linde name from Praxair in 1996.

The early 2000s saw a series of massive financial moves:

2000: Acquired AGA AB of Sweden for $3.71 billion.
2004: Sold its refrigeration division to Carrier Corporation for €325 million.
2006: Acquired BOC for €11.7 billion in cash.
2007: Rebranded its forklift business as KION Group and sold it to KKR and Goldman Sachs for €4 billion.

Linde continued to pivot toward healthcare and specialized gases, acquiring Lincare Holdings in 2012 for $4.6 billion and Calea France SAS later that year. In 2016, Linde Korea acquired the industrial merchant and electronics divisions of Air Liquide Korea.

The Praxair Merger and Future Energy

In a full-circle historical event, Linde merged with Praxair in October 2018—the very company that had evolved from Linde's confiscated WWI-era U.S. assets. To satisfy antitrust regulators, Linde sold several North and South American assets to the Messer Group and CVC Capital Partners for $3.3 billion.

Recently, Linde has focused on sustainable energy and hydrogen technology. This includes a 2019 investment of £28 million in ITM Power for polymer electrolyte membrane electrolyzers and a 10% stake in the Swiss renewable hydrogen producer Hydrospider.

However, global politics continue to impact operations. Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, sanctions prevented Linde from completing a Liquified Natural Gas terminal in Ust-Luga, leading Russia to freeze Linde's assets in the country, valued at approximately €1 billion.

Key Facts

Founder: Carl von Linde (1879).
Core Innovation: Liquefaction of air and the Linde–Frank–Caro process.
Major Merger: Completed merger with Praxair in 2018.
Key Acquisition: BOC acquired in 2006 for €11.7 billion.
Diversification: Formerly produced forklifts (now KION Group) and refrigeration systems.
Sustainability Focus: Investments in hydrogen production and renewable energy.

Year	Event	Value	Type
2000	Acquisition of AGA AB	$3.71 Billion	Acquisition
2004	Sale of Refrigeration Division	€325 Million	Divestiture
2006	Acquisition of BOC	€11.7 Billion	Acquisition
2007	Sale of Forklift Business (KION)	€4 Billion	Divestiture
2012	Acquisition of Lincare Holdings	$4.6 Billion	Acquisition
2018	Sale of Americas assets for Praxair merger	$3.3 Billion	Divestiture

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Linde–Frank–Caro process?

Invented in 1909, this process was used to separate the constituents of water gas to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide, which served as critical feedstocks for the early chemicals industry.

How did Praxair relate to the original Linde company?

Linde's U.S. assets were confiscated after World War I and integrated into Union Carbide Corporation. This division eventually became Union Carbide Industrial Gases Inc., which was renamed Praxair before finally merging back with Linde in 2018.

Did Linde produce more than industrial gases?

Yes. The company had a significant history in mechanical refrigeration and the manufacturing of engines and forklifts. The forklift business was eventually rebranded as the KION Group and sold in 2007.

What is Linde's involvement in hydrogen energy?

Linde has invested in renewable hydrogen through a stake in Hydrospider and a £28 million investment in ITM Power, which manufactures electrolyzers for splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen.

What happened to Linde's operations in Russia?

Following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, sanctions halted the construction of an LNG terminal at Ust-Luga. Consequently, Russia froze Linde's assets in the country, which were estimated at €1 billion.