The cryogenic gas industries encompass the production, liquefaction, storage, distribution, and application of gases that must be cooled to extremely low temperatures to exist in liquid form. These industries are foundational to modern energy, healthcare, manufacturing, food processing, and scientific research.
The primary cryogenic gases produced and used commercially are nitrogen, oxygen, argon, hydrogen, helium, and methane in the form of LNG. Each has a different boiling point, different industrial applications, and a different position in the cryogenic supply chain.
Liquid nitrogen, boiling at -195.8°C, is the most widely used cryogenic gas in UK healthcare and laboratory settings. It is the standard medium for biological cryopreservation in IVF clinics, sperm banks, biobanks, and research institutions. It is also used extensively in food processing, metal fabrication, electronics manufacturing, and industrial cooling applications. The nitrogen cryogenic equipment market is projected to grow from USD 4.14 billion in 2025 to USD 6.20 billion by 2030.
Liquid oxygen, boiling at -183°C, is used in medical gas supply systems in NHS hospitals and in industrial applications including metal cutting, welding, and glass manufacturing. It is also a component of rocket propellant systems.
Liquid argon, boiling at -186°C, is used in welding shielding gas applications and in specialist laboratory research settings.
Liquid hydrogen, boiling at -253°C, is the emerging cryogenic gas for clean energy applications. Its use as a transport fuel and energy carrier is driving significant investment in cryogenic hydrogen infrastructure in the UK and globally.
Liquid helium, boiling at -269°C, is used in MRI scanners, scientific superconducting magnets, and specialist research applications. It is the most expensive and least abundant of the commercially produced cryogenic gases.
For UK IVF laboratories and biological research institutions, liquid nitrogen is the relevant cryogenic gas in almost all storage and cryopreservation applications. View Cryolab’s LN2 storage vessel range or contact the team to discuss your laboratory’s cryogenic gas storage requirements.
