(Oct 29): Air Liquide SA revenue grew to its highest in nearly four years, propelled by increased demand in its artificial intelligence (AI)-exposed unit. 

Third-quarter revenue in the electronics business, which supplies ultra-pure specialty gases and advanced materials to semiconductor factories grew 12% on a comparable basis. Overall sales rose to €7.3 billion (RM33.13 billion), ahead of the €7.1 billion analysts had expected.

Paris-listed Air Liquide is one of the three main providers of industrial gases, along with Linde Plc and Air Products and Chemicals Inc, and supplies industrial gases and advanced materials used in chipmaking. 

Growth for the unit came mostly from Asia, with momentum for carrier gases driven by the start-up and ramp-up of new production units, particularly in China, the group said in a Thursday statement. Demand for some of the unit’s other products came from South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Japan.

The company said it invested over €170 million in Japan for the supply ultra-pure gases to “support market momentum in semiconductors and AI.”

Investments in the electronics business to support AI almost doubled in the first nine months of the year compared to the full year 2025, the company said.

The company also said it launched the first €1 billion tranche of its share buyback programme announced earlier this month, seeking to assuage pressure from Elliott Investment Management. It reiterated its financial guidance. 

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