Member in the Picture: Nippon Sanso
About Nippon Sanso
Nippon Sanso, formerly operating as Nippon Gases, is a leading industrial and medical gases company in Europe, part of Nippon Sanso Holdings Group, the world’s fourth-largest industrial gases provider. With more than 100 years of experience, a presence in over 30 countries and nearly 20,000 employees worldwide, the group combines global reach with local expertise. In Europe, more than 4,200 employees across 14 countries serve over 150,000 customers and 400,000 patients. The name change strengthens the group’s global identity and its commitment to innovation, safety and sustainability – with its purpose: “Making life better through gas technology”.
In Belgium, Nippon Sanso operates five production facilities and one administrative headquarters. The company supplies air gases, process gases, specialty gases and semiconductor gases to a wide range of industries: from food and beverage, metal production and automotive to electronics and the (petro)chemical sector. Thanks to four supply modes – packaged gases, bulk liquid gases, pipeline distribution and on-site plants – there is a reliable solution for every customer need.
Sustainability as a compass
Creating social value through innovative gas solutions is what drives Nippon Sanso. Sustainability is at the heart of every decision, enabling the company to make a positive impact itself while helping its customers reduce emissions and implement more sustainable solutions.
That commitment is backed by external recognition: in 2026, Nippon Sanso received the EcoVadis Platinum Medal for the third consecutive year, placing it among the top-performing companies in sustainability. In addition, the company established its own Sustainable Procurement Strategy, integrating ESG criteria into all procurement activities and fostering responsible practices throughout its supply chain.
Future plans
Nippon Sanso relocated its Packaged Gases facility from Schoten to the Semiconductor Specialty Gases plant in Oevel. This strategic relocation creates new synergies, improves operational efficiency and strengthens its customer-focused approach. By bringing these operations together, the company is better positioned to meet growing customer demand – with reliable, innovative and high-quality gas solutions.
Nippon Sanso & Flanders Metals Valley
Nippon Sanso’s industrial gases and decarbonization technologies – such as oxyfuel combustion – are an integral part of the metals value chain. Through FMV, the company connects and collaborates with other members on the transition towards climate-neutral and circular metallurgy.
At a time when decarbonization and circularity are fundamentally changing production processes, FMV offers a platform to engage with other members. This fits perfectly with Nippon Sanso’s strategy of using its industrial gases expertise and technology to develop customer solutions around oxyfuel combustion, CO₂ reduction and energy-efficient metallurgical processes.
Nippon Sanso has already collaborated with several FMV members on concrete projects aimed at improving the energy efficiency of metallurgical processes.
FMV can help turn the challenges facing the metals industry into new opportunities for sustainable growth – creating value for the sector as well as for technology partners such as Nippon Sanso.
Message to other companies
“Let’s connect – because great things happen when the right people, metals and gases come together.”