Despite being the smallest of the regional markets in the US, the Rocky Mountains is home to a robust and dynamic industrial gas business.
Last month we put the West Coast market into the spotlight, and highlighted how the acquisition of Airgas, and the potential merger between Praxair and Linde, have, and would change the entire structure of the market.
A similar, albeit, lesser situation exists in the Rocky Mountains. Air Liquide’s acquisition of Airgas has enabled the Paris-based player to increase its market share from 12%, to 21% in the region. Praxair is already the market leader in the Rockies, but a potential merger with Linde would bring the combined entity’s market share to 44%, prior to any divestment. This would likely attract the attention of the FTC, and possible divestments may be required.
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