냉동보존 및 의료처리를 위한 헬스케어 분야 수요 증가가 액체질소의 채택을 촉진하고 있습니다. 냉동보존에 액체 질소를 이용하는 식음료 산업의 확대는 시장 규모를 2024년 18억 4,000만 달러를 돌파하고 2032년에는 약 29억 7,000만 달러에 달할 수 있는 원동력이 되고 있습니다.
이와 더불어, 산업 공정의 발전과 기술 혁신 증가는 액체 질소의 사용 효율을 높이고 액체 질소의 채택을 촉진하고 있습니다. 고성능 냉각 솔루션에 대한 항공우주 부문 수요가 증가하면서 2026-2032년 6.13%의 연평균 복합 성장률(CAGR)로 시장이 성장할 것으로 예측됩니다.
액체 질소 시장은 연평균 6.13% 성장하여 2032년 말까지 29억 7,000만 달러에 달할 것으로 추정됩니다.
액체질소 시장 정의/개요
액체 질소는 약 -196℃(-321°F)의 초저온에서 액체 상태의 질소입니다. 액체 질소는 압력 하의 질소 가스를 응축하여 액체가 될 때까지 냉각하여 제조됩니다. 이 극저온 액체는 무색, 무취이며 불활성이어서 다양한 산업 및 과학 용도에 적합합니다.
액체 질소는 그 독특한 특성으로 인해 다양한 산업 분야에서 널리 사용되고 있습니다. 의료 분야에서는 생물학적 시료의 냉동 보존 및 사마귀와 종양을 제거하기 위한 냉동 수술에 필수적입니다. 음료 및 식품 산업에서는 급속 냉동 및 보존에 사용되며, 제조 산업에서는 냉각 및 수축 공정에 도움이 됩니다. 또한 액체 질소는 입자 물리학 및 재료 과학과 같은 과학 연구에서 초전도체 냉각 및 기타 실험에 사용됩니다.
헬스케어 분야에서의 액체질소 수요 증가는 액체질소 시장의 중요한 촉진제입니다. 병원 및 연구시설에서는 생물학적 샘플의 극저온 보존, 냉동 수술, 피부과 치료에 액체 질소를 사용하고 있습니다. 세계보건기구(WHO)에 따르면 2018년 전 세계 의료비는 8조 3,000억 달러에 달하고, 의료 기술 및 의료 용품에 대한 막대한 투자가 이루어지고 있으며, 코로나19 팬데믹으로 인해 백신 및 생물학적 샘플을 위한 극저온 보존 솔루션의 필요성이 더욱 가속화되고 있습니다. 가속화하고 있습니다. 최근 산업용 가스 시장의 주요 업체인 에어 프로덕츠는 의료 및 제약 산업 수요 증가에 대응하기 위해 아시아태평양의 액체 질소 생산 능력을 확대한다고 발표했습니다.
식품 및 음료 산업에서 급속 냉동 및 식품 보존을 위해 액체 질소의 채택이 증가하고 있으며, 이는 시장 성장을 가속하고 있습니다. 액체 질소는 식품의 급속 냉동, 품질 유지 및 유통기한 연장을 가능하게 합니다. 미국 농무부 보고서에 따르면 2020년 미국 식음료 제조 부문의 출하액은 7,500억 달러에 달할 것으로 예상되며, 이는 이 산업의 규모와 액체 질소 응용의 잠재력을 강조하고 있습니다. 최근 세계 산업용 가스 회사인 린데 plc는 식품 가공 산업을 위해 특별히 설계된 새로운 식품 등급 액체 질소 시스템을 발표하여 효율성과 안전성을 향상시켰습니다.
전자 및 반도체 제조 부문의 확대는 생산 공정 중 냉각 시스템 및 불활성 대기에 사용되는 액체 질소에 대한 수요를 촉진하고 있으며, 5G 기술 및 IoT 장치의 급속한 성장은 이러한 수요를 촉진하고 있습니다. 반도체 산업 협회에 따르면, 세계 반도체 산업 매출은 2020년 4,404억 달러에 달할 것으로 예상되며, 앞으로도 계속 성장할 것으로 예측됩니다. 산업용 가스의 선두 공급업체인 메싸 그룹은 최근 반도체 산업의 액체 질소 및 기타 산업용 가스에 대한 수요 증가에 대응하기 위해 미국 텍사스에 새로운 공기 분리 설비를 완공했다고 발표했습니다. 이번 투자는 첨단 제조 공정에서 고순도 액체 질소에 대한 수요 증가에 대한 시장의 반응입니다.
액체 질소 저장 및 운송에 필요한 인프라도 제한 요인입니다. 적절한 저장 시설은 질소를 액체 상태로 유지하기 위해 저온을 유지해야 하며, 운송을 위해서는 신중하게 단열 및 가압된 용기가 필요합니다. 이러한 문제는 특히 인프라가 제한된 지역에서는 비용이 많이 드는 동시에 논리적으로도 어려운 문제입니다.
또한, 액체 질소의 사용은 환경에 미치는 영향과 지속가능성에 대한 우려로 인해 제한되고 있습니다. 액체 질소는 비교적 불활성 물질이지만, 에너지 집약적인 제조 공정으로 인해 온실 가스 배출에 기여하고 있습니다. 산업계가 점점 더 지속가능성을 우선시함에 따라 액체 질소 제조의 환경 발자국은 면밀한 조사에 직면하여 보다 환경 친화적인 대체품의 채택에 영향을 미칠 수 있습니다.
또 다른 과제는 액체 질소의 취급과 안전에 대한 우려입니다. 액체 질소는 온도가 매우 낮기 때문에 제대로 관리하지 않으면 심각한 화상과 동상을 유발할 수 있습니다. 따라서 엄격한 안전 프로토콜, 작업자에 대한 전문 교육 및 보호 장비의 사용이 필요하며, 이는 운영의 복잡성과 비용을 증가시킬 수 있습니다.
Increasing demand in healthcare for cryopreservation and medical procedures is propelling the adoption of liquid nitrogen. The expansion of the food and beverage industry, utilizing liquid nitrogen for freezing and storage is driving the market size surpass USD 1.84 Billion valued in 2024 to reach a valuation of around USD 2.97 Billion by 2032.
In addition to this, rising advancements in industrial processes and technological innovations enhance its usage efficiency is spurring up the adoption of liquid nitrogen. The aerospace sector's need for high-performance cooling solutions contributes to rising demand, this is enabling the market to grow at a CAGR of 6.13% from 2026 to 2032.
Liquid Nitrogen Market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.13% & reach US$ 2.97 Bn by the end of 2032
Liquid Nitrogen Market: Definition/ Overview
Liquid nitrogen is nitrogen in a liquid state at an extremely low temperature of about -196°C (-321°F). It is produced by cooling nitrogen gas under pressure until it condenses into a liquid. This cryogenic liquid is colorless, odorless, and inert, making it ideal for a range of industrial and scientific applications.
Liquid nitrogen is widely used in various industries due to its unique properties. In healthcare, it is crucial for cryopreservation of biological samples and in cryosurgery for removing warts and tumors. The food and beverage industry uses it for flash freezing and preservation, while in manufacturing, it aids in cooling and shrink-fitting processes. Additionally, liquid nitrogen is employed in scientific research, such as in particle physics and materials science, for cooling superconductors and other experiments.
The growing demand for liquid nitrogen in the healthcare sector is a significant driver of the Liquid Nitrogen Market. Hospitals and research facilities use liquid nitrogen for cryogenic storage of biological samples, cryosurgery, and dermatological treatments. According to the World Health Organization, global healthcare expenditure reached $8.3 trillion in 2018, indicating substantial investment in medical technologies and supplies. The COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated the need for cryogenic storage solutions for vaccines and biological samples. Recently, Air Products, a major player in the industrial gases market, announced the expansion of its liquid nitrogen production capacity in the Asia-Pacific region to meet the rising demand from the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries.
The food and beverage industry's increasing adoption of liquid nitrogen for flash freezing and food preservation is propelling market growth. Liquid nitrogen enables rapid freezing of food products, maintaining their quality and extending shelf life. The United States Department of Agriculture reported that the U.S. food and beverage manufacturing sector accounted for $750 billion in shipments in 2020, highlighting the industry's significant size and potential for liquid nitrogen applications. In a recent development, Linde plc, a global industrial gases company, introduced a new food-grade liquid nitrogen system designed specifically for the food processing industry, offering improved efficiency and safety features.
The expanding electronics and semiconductor manufacturing sector is driving demand for liquid nitrogen, which is used in cooling systems and inert atmospheres during production processes. The rapid growth of 5G technology and IoT devices is fueling this demand. According to the Semiconductor Industry Association, global semiconductor industry sales reached USD 440.4 Billion in 2020, with projections for continued growth. Messer Group, a leading industrial gas supplier, recently announced the completion of a new air separation unit in Texas, USA, to support the growing demand for liquid nitrogen and other industrial gases from the semiconductor industry. This investment demonstrates the market's response to the increasing need for high-purity liquid nitrogen in advanced manufacturing processes.
The infrastructure required for the storage and transport of liquid nitrogen is also a limiting factor. Proper storage facilities must maintain low temperatures to keep the nitrogen in a liquid state, and transportation involves carefully insulated and pressurized containers. These requirements can be both expensive and logistically challenging, particularly in regions with limited infrastructure.
Additionally, liquid nitrogen's use is restricted by its environmental impact and sustainability concerns. While it is relatively inert, the energy-intensive process of its production contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. As industries increasingly prioritize sustainability, the environmental footprint of liquid nitrogen production may face scrutiny, influencing its adoption in favor of more eco-friendly alternatives.
Another challenge is the handling and safety concerns related to liquid nitrogen. It's extremely low temperatures can cause severe burns and frostbite if not managed properly. This necessitates stringent safety protocols, specialized training for personnel, and the use of protective equipment, which can increase operational complexity and costs.
Medically Assisted Procreation (MAP) is emerging as a dominant application in the liquid nitrogen market, driven by the increasing demand for fertility treatments and advanced reproductive technologies. Liquid nitrogen plays a crucial role in cryopreservation of embryos, eggs, and sperm, enabling long-term storage for future use in fertility procedures. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2.1% of all infants born in the United States in 2019 were conceived using assisted reproductive technologies. Recently, Chart Industries, a leading manufacturer of cryogenic equipment, announced the launch of a new line of storage tanks specifically designed for IVF clinics, featuring advanced monitoring systems to ensure optimal preservation conditions.
The growing trend of egg freezing for fertility preservation has significantly contributed to the dominance of MAP in the liquid nitrogen market. Women are increasingly choosing to freeze their eggs for social or medical reasons, driving the need for reliable cryogenic storage solutions. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) in the UK reported a 523% increase in egg freezing cycles between 2013 and 2018. In a recent development, Cryoport Systems, a leading provider of temperature-controlled supply chain solutions, partnered with a major fertility clinic network to provide end-to-end cryogenic logistics services for reproductive tissues, enhancing the accessibility of fertility treatments across multiple locations.
The healthcare sector is a dominant force in the liquid nitrogen market, driven by its critical applications in cryotherapy, cryopreservation, and various medical procedures. Liquid nitrogen's ability to rapidly freeze tissues and cells has made it indispensable in fertility treatments, dermatology, and oncology. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of assisted reproductive technology cycles using cryopreserved embryos in the United States increased by 86% between 2009 and 2019, highlighting the growing importance of liquid nitrogen in healthcare.
The COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated the demand for liquid nitrogen in the healthcare sector, particularly for vaccine storage and distribution. Its ultra-low temperature capabilities have proven crucial in maintaining the efficacy of mRNA vaccines. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported in 2022 that approximately 12 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses had been administered globally, many of which required cryogenic storage solutions. This surge in demand has prompted key market players to expand their production and distribution networks to meet the healthcare industry's needs.
North America is dominating the liquid nitrogen market, driven by robust demand across various industries. The region's dominance can be attributed to its advanced healthcare sector, booming food and beverage industry, and thriving manufacturing capabilities. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, nitrogen production in the United States reached approximately 9.3 million metric tons in 2022, underscoring the region's significant contribution to the global market.
The liquid nitrogen landscape in North America is characterized by continuous technological advancements and strategic expansions by key players. These developments have led to increased production capacity and improved distribution networks, further solidifying the region's market position. In a recent announcement on March 15, 2024, Air Products, a leading industrial gas company, revealed plans to invest USD 500 Million in expanding its liquid nitrogen production facilities across the United States, aiming to meet the growing demand from the semiconductor and healthcare sectors.
The Asia Pacific region is experiencing rapid growth in the liquid nitrogen market, driven by expanding industrial sectors, technological advancements, and increasing healthcare demands. Countries like China, India, and Japan are leading this surge, with their burgeoning manufacturing industries and growing emphasis on research and development. According to China's National Bureau of Statistics, the country's industrial gas production, including liquid nitrogen, increased by 7.8% in 2024 compared to the previous year, reflecting the region's robust market expansion.
The food and beverage industry in Asia Pacific is a significant contributor to the rising demand for liquid nitrogen, particularly in innovative culinary applications and cold chain logistics. This growth is further fueled by the region's expanding middle class and changing consumer preferences for frozen and convenience foods. In a recent development, on April 5, 2024, Linde plc announced the completion of a new air separation unit in South Korea, significantly boosting its liquid nitrogen production capacity to meet the growing regional demand from various industries, including food and beverage.
The liquid nitrogen market is a dynamic and competitive space, characterized by a diverse range of players vying for market share. These players are on the run for solidifying their presence through the adoption of strategic plans such as collaborations, mergers, acquisitions, and political support.
The organizations are focusing on innovating their product line to serve the vast population in diverse regions. Some of the prominent players operating in the liquid nitrogen market include: