Messer has reported its strongest financial performance to date in 2024, driven by regional expansion and sustained investment across core markets.
The privately owned industrial, medical and specialty gases company posted group sales of approximately €4.5bn ($4.8bn), up 2% year-on-year. Earnings before tax and depreciation rose 10% to €1.4bn ($1.5bn), supported by new plant start-ups, a broader mix of customers, and strong demand from aerospace, semiconductors and healthcare.
CEO Bernd Eulitz said the company’s diverse footprint and local production model helped its resilience.
“The industrial gases business proves resilient even in globally challenging times…. The vast majority of our products are produced locally to serve local customers, with only limited cross-border business.”
Messer invested around €900m ($960m) in 2024 on capacity expansions, maintenance and strategic initiatives, including helium infrastructure in the US and green hydrogen projects in Europe.
Regional performance
In the Americas, sales rose to €2.4bn ($2.56bn), including €1.6bn ($1.71bn) of sales from the US. Investment remained strong across aerospace, semiconductors, and medical gases. In Latin America, infrastructure upgrades supported growth.
European sales held steady at €1.3bn ($1.39bn). New CO2 plants were commissioned in Austria, Poland, Slovenia and Serbia. Messer also advanced two green hydrogen projects: a 25MW plant in Zeebrugge, Belgium (via the Hyoffwind joint venture), and a 10MW facility in Germany (HyDN).
In Asia, sales were steady at €800m ($850m), with €700m ($750m) from China and €100m ($110m) from south-east Asia markets. Growth in Vietnam offset weaker conditions in China, underpinned by demand for pipeline and liquefied gases.
The company also expanded its end-market presence in Vietnam and Thailand, with new assets supporting food processing, electronics and healthcare.
