Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market Size and Outlook 2031

Report Description

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 4.33 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	6.91%
Fastest Growing Segment	Tungsten Gas Arc Welding
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 6.47 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market will grow from USD 4.33 Billion in 2025 to USD 6.47 Billion by 2031 at a 6.91% CAGR. Welding and shielding gases are specialized pure elements or gaseous mixtures, such as argon, helium, and carbon dioxide, utilized to stabilize electrical arcs and protect molten metal from atmospheric contamination during fabrication. The market is primarily driven by robust global industrialization and the sustained requirements of the construction and automotive sectors, where high-integrity joining is essential for structural safety. Additionally, the continuous development of energy infrastructure, including pipelines and renewable energy installations, necessitates a reliable supply of these consumables for heavy manufacturing projects.

However, the market faces a significant challenge from global economic volatility, which can dampen activity in heavy industry and reduce raw material consumption. A stagnation in manufacturing output directly limits the volume of welding consumables required by end-users. According to the World Steel Association, in October 2025, global steel demand is projected to be flat compared to the previous year, reaching approximately 1,749 million tonnes. This lack of growth in the primary application sector represents a substantial hurdle that could impede the expansion of the welding gas market.

Key Market Drivers

The expansion of global infrastructure and construction activities stands as a primary catalyst for the welding gas market, necessitating vast quantities of argon and carbon dioxide for structural steel fabrication. As governments and private entities accelerate development projects, the consumption of welding consumables rises directly with construction output. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, February 2025, in the 'Monthly Construction Spending, December 2024' report, the total value of construction put in place in the United States during 2024 reached $2,154.4 billion, marking a 6.5% increase compared to the previous year. This surge in capital expenditure underscores the critical role of welding gases in supporting large-scale engineering and urbanization projects, ensuring the structural integrity of bridges, pipelines, and commercial buildings.

Simultaneously, the market is bolstered by rising demand from the automotive and electric vehicle sectors, where high-precision shielding gases are indispensable for joining lightweight materials and battery components. Manufacturers are increasingly relying on advanced gas mixtures to protect molten metal from atmospheric contamination during automated production. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), March 2025, in the 'Economic and Market Report: Global and EU auto industry – Full year 2024', global car manufacturing totaled 75.5 million units in 2024, providing a sustained base for gas consumption. Reflecting this industrial momentum, according to Lincoln Electric Holdings, October 2025, in the 'Third Quarter 2025 Results', the company reported quarterly revenue of $1.06 billion, a 7.9% increase year-over-year, indicating robust activity in the welding equipment and consumables ecosystem.

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Key Market Challenges

Global economic volatility serves as a significant restraint on the Global Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market by causing stagnation in manufacturing output. Welding gases are indispensable consumables in heavy industry, meaning their demand is inextricably linked to the operational volume of metal fabrication sectors. When economic instability leads to reduced capital expenditure and delayed infrastructure projects, manufacturers scale back production, directly lowering the consumption rate of shielding gases required for arc stabilization and metal protection.

This correlation is substantiated by recent production data indicating a slowdown in key industrial activities. According to the Arab Iron and Steel Union, in 2025, global crude steel production experienced a notable contraction, declining by 5.9% in October compared to the same month in the previous year. This reduction in primary metal output signals a broader deceleration in the manufacturing supply chain, effectively capping the potential volume of welding gas procurement. As industrial throughput falters, the market for these essential gases faces a direct and unavoidable limitation in growth momentum.

Key Market Trends

The Emergence of Low-Emission and Sustainable Shielding Gases is fundamentally altering market dynamics as industrial consumers increasingly align procurement with decarbonization goals. Manufacturers are prioritizing the adoption of carbon-neutral gas mixtures and hydrogen-blended shielding solutions to mitigate the environmental impact of heavy fabrication and steelmaking processes. This shift is driving major producers to secure long-term capital commitments for green energy infrastructure, ensuring a resilient supply chain for these next-generation consumables. Highlighting this strategic stability, according to Linde plc, October 2025, in the '3Q25 Earnings Teleconference and Webcast', the company reported that its project backlog remained at $10 billion, underscoring the sustained industrial demand for clean energy applications and high-reliability gas contracts despite broader economic uncertainties.

Simultaneously, the Transition to High-Pressure Lightweight Composite Cylinders is gaining momentum, addressing the logistical inefficiencies associated with traditional heavy steel containment. Fabricators are migrating toward advanced composite vessels that offer superior portability and higher gas capacity, which significantly reduces transportation costs and improves on-site handling safety for welders. This accelerated uptake of modern containment solutions is reflected in the financial performance of key packaging manufacturers. According to Worthington Enterprises, September 2025, in the 'Q1 FY2026 Earnings Presentation', the Building Products segment, which encompasses advanced composite cylinder technologies, registered a sales increase of 32% year-over-year to reach $185 million, driven by robust volume growth in its specialized containment portfolio.

Segmental Insights

Based on market intelligence, the Tungsten Gas Arc Welding segment is identified as the fastest-growing category within the Global Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market. This rapid expansion is primarily driven by the escalating demand for high-precision joining of non-ferrous metals and exotic alloys, such as titanium and stainless steel, which are critical in the aerospace and automotive industries. As manufacturers prioritize superior weld integrity and aesthetic finishes for safety-sensitive components, the adoption of this technique continues to rise. Furthermore, the increasing application of automated orbital welding in the semiconductor and energy sectors necessitates the high-purity inert gases exclusive to this process.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific commands the leading position in the Global Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market, largely attributed to its robust industrial manufacturing base. The region benefits from sustained demand across the automotive, shipbuilding, and heavy machinery sectors, particularly in China and India where metal fabrication is a core economic activity. This dominance is further reinforced by rapid urbanization and government-led infrastructure initiatives that require extensive welding operations. Consequently, the continuous expansion of construction and energy projects maintains a critical reliance on shielding gases to ensure structural integrity and operational efficiency.

Recent Developments

In September 2024, Air Liquide announced a significant investment of nearly €60 million to acquire and operate an air separation unit in Yantai, China. As part of a long-term contract with Wanhua Chemical Group, the company plans to build, own, and operate a new liquid argon production unit at the site. This facility will serve the Industrial Merchant markets in Yantai and the broader Shandong province. The project aims to supply large volumes of nitrogen and oxygen to the partner while leveraging the new argon capacity to meet the growing demand for shielding gases in the local metal fabrication and manufacturing sectors.
In June 2024, Messer completed the acquisition of the Federal Helium System from the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management. This strategic transaction included the Federal Helium Reserve, the Cliffside Field with its wells and gathering system, and a 423-mile crude helium pipeline. Helium is a critical noble gas used extensively as a shielding gas in welding applications, particularly for non-ferrous metals like aluminum and stainless steel. This acquisition positions the company to ensure a reliable and safe supply of this vital resource to various industries, including metal fabrication and manufacturing, thereby reinforcing its status as a leading global helium supplier.
In June 2024, Air Products showcased its advanced industrial gas solutions and technologies for metals processing at the PowderMet2024 International Conference in Pittsburgh. The company highlighted its intelligent systems designed to optimize sintering, annealing, and brazing processes, which rely on precise gas atmospheres essential for material integrity. These smart technologies assist metal processors in improving product quality, reducing operating costs, and optimizing gas usage. By presenting these solutions, the company demonstrated its capability to support the powder metallurgy industry with essential gases like nitrogen, hydrogen, and argon, along with technical expertise for improved operational efficiency.
In May 2024, Linde entered into a long-term agreement with H2 Green Steel to supply industrial gases for the world's first large-scale green steel production plant in Boden, Sweden. Under this collaboration, the company committed to investing approximately $150 million to construct, own, and operate a new on-site air separation unit. This facility will supply oxygen, nitrogen, and argon to the integrated plant. The supply of argon is particularly significant for the shielding gas market. Additionally, the new unit will provide atmospheric gases to the company's existing and new customers in the local merchant market, strengthening its network density in the region.

Key Market Players

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.
The Linde Group
Messer Group GmbH
Iwatani Corporation
Gulf Cryo
Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation
SIG Gases Berhad
Air Liquide SA

By Type	By Application	By Storage	By End User	By Region
Argon Carbon Dioxide and Others	Gas Metal Arc Welding Tungsten Gas Arc Welding and Others	Cylinder & Packaged Gas Distribution and Merchant Liquid/Bulk Distribution	Construction Energy Aerospace Metal Manufacturing & Fabrication and Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market, By Type:

Argon
Carbon Dioxide and Others

Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market, By Application:

Gas Metal Arc Welding
Tungsten Gas Arc Welding and Others

Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market, By Storage:

Cylinder & Packaged Gas Distribution and Merchant Liquid/Bulk Distribution

Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market, By End User:

Construction
Energy
Aerospace
Metal Manufacturing & Fabrication and Others

Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market, By Region:

North America

United States
Canada
Mexico

Europe

France
United Kingdom
Italy
Germany
Spain

Asia Pacific

China
India
Japan
Australia
South Korea

South America

Brazil
Argentina
Colombia

Middle East & Africa

South Africa
Saudi Arabia
UAE

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market.

Available Customizations:

Global Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market report with the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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Table of content

1. Product Overview

1.1. Market Definition

1.2. Scope of the Market

1.2.1. Markets Covered

1.2.2. Years Considered for Study

1.2.3. Key Market Segmentations

2. Research Methodology

2.1. Objective of the Study

2.2. Baseline Methodology

2.3. Key Industry Partners

2.4. Major Association and Secondary Sources

2.5. Forecasting Methodology

2.6. Data Triangulation & Validation

2.7. Assumptions and Limitations

3. Executive Summary

3.1. Overview of the Market

3.2. Overview of Key Market Segmentations

3.3. Overview of Key Market Players

3.4. Overview of Key Regions/Countries

3.5. Overview of Market Drivers, Challenges, Trends

4. Voice of Customer

5. Global Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market Outlook

5.1. Market Size & Forecast

5.1.1. By Value

5.2. Market Share & Forecast

5.2.1. By Type (Argon, Carbon Dioxide and Others)

5.2.2. By Application (Gas Metal Arc Welding, Tungsten Gas Arc Welding and Others)

5.2.3. By Storage (Cylinder & Packaged Gas Distribution and Merchant Liquid/Bulk Distribution)

5.2.4. By End User (Construction, Energy, Aerospace, Metal Manufacturing & Fabrication and Others)

5.2.5. By Region

5.2.6. By Company (2025)

5.3. Market Map

6. North America Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market Outlook

6.1. Market Size & Forecast

6.1.1. By Value

6.2. Market Share & Forecast

6.2.1. By Type

6.2.2. By Application

6.2.3. By Storage

6.2.4. By End User

6.2.5. By Country

6.3. North America: Country Analysis

6.3.1. United States Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market Outlook

6.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast

6.3.1.1.1. By Value

6.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast

6.3.1.2.1. By Type

6.3.1.2.2. By Application

6.3.1.2.3. By Storage

6.3.1.2.4. By End User

6.3.2. Canada Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market Outlook

6.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast

6.3.2.1.1. By Value

6.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast

6.3.2.2.1. By Type

6.3.2.2.2. By Application

6.3.2.2.3. By Storage

6.3.2.2.4. By End User

6.3.3. Mexico Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market Outlook

6.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast

6.3.3.1.1. By Value

6.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast

6.3.3.2.1. By Type

6.3.3.2.2. By Application

6.3.3.2.3. By Storage

6.3.3.2.4. By End User

7. Europe Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market Outlook

7.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.1.1. By Value

7.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.2.1. By Type

7.2.2. By Application

7.2.3. By Storage

7.2.4. By End User

7.2.5. By Country

7.3. Europe: Country Analysis

7.3.1. Germany Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market Outlook

7.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.3.1.1.1. By Value

7.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.3.1.2.1. By Type

7.3.1.2.2. By Application

7.3.1.2.3. By Storage

7.3.1.2.4. By End User

7.3.2. France Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market Outlook

7.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.3.2.1.1. By Value

7.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.3.2.2.1. By Type

7.3.2.2.2. By Application

7.3.2.2.3. By Storage

7.3.2.2.4. By End User

7.3.3. United Kingdom Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market Outlook

7.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.3.3.1.1. By Value

7.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.3.3.2.1. By Type

7.3.3.2.2. By Application

7.3.3.2.3. By Storage

7.3.3.2.4. By End User

7.3.4. Italy Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market Outlook

7.3.4.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.3.4.1.1. By Value

7.3.4.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.3.4.2.1. By Type

7.3.4.2.2. By Application

7.3.4.2.3. By Storage

7.3.4.2.4. By End User

7.3.5. Spain Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market Outlook

7.3.5.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.3.5.1.1. By Value

7.3.5.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.3.5.2.1. By Type

7.3.5.2.2. By Application

7.3.5.2.3. By Storage

7.3.5.2.4. By End User

8. Asia Pacific Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market Outlook

8.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.1.1. By Value

8.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.2.1. By Type

8.2.2. By Application

8.2.3. By Storage

8.2.4. By End User

8.2.5. By Country

8.3. Asia Pacific: Country Analysis

8.3.1. China Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market Outlook

8.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.3.1.1.1. By Value

8.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.3.1.2.1. By Type

8.3.1.2.2. By Application

8.3.1.2.3. By Storage

8.3.1.2.4. By End User

8.3.2. India Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market Outlook

8.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.3.2.1.1. By Value

8.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.3.2.2.1. By Type

8.3.2.2.2. By Application

8.3.2.2.3. By Storage

8.3.2.2.4. By End User

8.3.3. Japan Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market Outlook

8.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.3.3.1.1. By Value

8.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.3.3.2.1. By Type

8.3.3.2.2. By Application

8.3.3.2.3. By Storage

8.3.3.2.4. By End User

8.3.4. South Korea Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market Outlook

8.3.4.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.3.4.1.1. By Value

8.3.4.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.3.4.2.1. By Type

8.3.4.2.2. By Application

8.3.4.2.3. By Storage

8.3.4.2.4. By End User

8.3.5. Australia Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market Outlook

8.3.5.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.3.5.1.1. By Value

8.3.5.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.3.5.2.1. By Type

8.3.5.2.2. By Application

8.3.5.2.3. By Storage

8.3.5.2.4. By End User

9. Middle East & Africa Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market Outlook

9.1. Market Size & Forecast

9.1.1. By Value

9.2. Market Share & Forecast

9.2.1. By Type

9.2.2. By Application

9.2.3. By Storage

9.2.4. By End User

9.2.5. By Country

9.3. Middle East & Africa: Country Analysis

9.3.1. Saudi Arabia Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market Outlook

9.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast

9.3.1.1.1. By Value

9.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast

9.3.1.2.1. By Type

9.3.1.2.2. By Application

9.3.1.2.3. By Storage

9.3.1.2.4. By End User

9.3.2. UAE Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market Outlook

9.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast

9.3.2.1.1. By Value

9.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast

9.3.2.2.1. By Type

9.3.2.2.2. By Application

9.3.2.2.3. By Storage

9.3.2.2.4. By End User

9.3.3. South Africa Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market Outlook

9.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast

9.3.3.1.1. By Value

9.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast

9.3.3.2.1. By Type

9.3.3.2.2. By Application

9.3.3.2.3. By Storage

9.3.3.2.4. By End User

10. South America Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market Outlook

10.1. Market Size & Forecast

10.1.1. By Value

10.2. Market Share & Forecast

10.2.1. By Type

10.2.2. By Application

10.2.3. By Storage

10.2.4. By End User

10.2.5. By Country

10.3. South America: Country Analysis

10.3.1. Brazil Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market Outlook

10.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast

10.3.1.1.1. By Value

10.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast

10.3.1.2.1. By Type

10.3.1.2.2. By Application

10.3.1.2.3. By Storage

10.3.1.2.4. By End User

10.3.2. Colombia Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market Outlook

10.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast

10.3.2.1.1. By Value

10.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast

10.3.2.2.1. By Type

10.3.2.2.2. By Application

10.3.2.2.3. By Storage

10.3.2.2.4. By End User

10.3.3. Argentina Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market Outlook

10.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast

10.3.3.1.1. By Value

10.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast

10.3.3.2.1. By Type

10.3.3.2.2. By Application

10.3.3.2.3. By Storage

10.3.3.2.4. By End User

11. Market Dynamics

11.1. Drivers

11.2. Challenges

12. Market Trends & Developments

12.1. Merger & Acquisition (If Any)

12.2. Product Launches (If Any)

12.3. Recent Developments

13. Global Welding Gas and Shielding Gas Market: SWOT Analysis

14. Porter's Five Forces Analysis

14.1. Competition in the Industry

14.2. Potential of New Entrants

14.3. Power of Suppliers

14.4. Power of Customers

14.5. Threat of Substitute Products

15. Competitive Landscape

15.1. Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

15.1.1. Business Overview

15.1.2. Products & Services

15.1.3. Recent Developments

15.1.4. Key Personnel

15.1.5. SWOT Analysis

15.2. The Linde Group

15.3. Messer Group GmbH

15.4. Iwatani Corporation

15.5. Gulf Cryo

15.6. Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation

15.7. SIG Gases Berhad

15.8. Air Liquide SA

16. Strategic Recommendations

17. About Us & Disclaimer

Report Description

Table of content

Figures and Tables

Frequently asked questions

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