Air Liquide’s Airgas Delivers High-Pressure Nitrogen for Artemis II Launch

Air Liquide recently announced that its subsidiary, Airgas, successfully supported NASA’s Artemis II mission and continued its role in the advancement of American space exploration. As part of a 50-year partnership with NASA, Airgas supplied critical high-pressure nitrogen required for launch operations at the Kennedy Space Center. The nitrogen gas was managed and supplied by the Airgas facility in Merritt Island, FL.

The company leveraged its infrastructure and technical expertise at the Meritt Island site to fulfill the rigorous demands of NASA’s Artemis II launch, achieving high flow rates to support the space launch system rocket during final countdown and liftoff.

“The Artemis II mission is more than just a return to the Moon; it's a testament to what we can achieve when we aim for the stars,” said Marcelo Fioranelli, CEO of Airgas. “At Air Liquide, we are honored to fuel this historic endeavor, knowing that our supply of nitrogen plays a crucial role in enabling this leap forward. This mission, much like our commitment to every customer, is about filling our potential. We are proud to support NASA as they inspire the next generation of deep space explorers.”

Airgas supplies high-flow nitrogen pumping and pipeline services for critical rocket tests and launches, aided by dedicated onsite supplies and air separation units to enable consistent, high-specification gas supply required by specialized space operations. Overall, the Air Liquide Group provides essential ground-based infrastructure, cryogenic equipment, and systems for launch vehicles and satellites, in addition to cryogenic fluids and high-purity rare gases for propulsion.

As the first crewed flight of the Artemis program, this 10-day journey has sent a four-person crew around the Moon, marking the first human travel to lunar space in over 50 years and paving the way for a permanent lunar presence. The space sector is one of the multiple areas of development for the Group, which is ideally positioned due to its footprint in the United States and comprehensive supply chain for space exploration.

Cryocap OXY

In early March 2026, Air Liquide and Holcim entered an agreement to develop a carbon-capture solution for Holcim’s near-zero cement production plant in Obourg, Belgium. Per the agreement, Air Liquide will supply oxygen for Holcim’s oxyfuel-ready clinker production line, in addition to its Cryocap OXY technology to capture CO₂ emissions with high efficiency. Captured CO₂ will be transported via pipelines to a CO₂ export hub, like Antwerp@C, for subsequent shipment to permanent offshore storage in the North Sea.

The new strategic agreement aims to transform Holcim’s Obourg plant into a leading large-scale near-zero cement production facility, representing a milestone for the collaborative project. Its final investment decision is subject to additional partnerships across the value chain, as well as public sector support for infrastructure regulation and the provision of derisking mechanisms.

This project aims to capture 1.1 million tons of CO₂ per year under GO4ZERO, Holcim’s investment program focused on achieving carbon neutrality in Belgium by 2030. The initiative would significantly contribute to the European Union’s 2050 net-zero target. This partnership demonstrates the Air Liquide Group’s ability to provide efficient carbon-capture solutions at scale to meet the needs of its customers.