Compressed Gas Cylinders Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Steel Cylinders, Aluminum Cylinders, Composite Cylinders), By Application (Industrial Gas Storage, Medical Gas Storage, Firefighting, Diving, Automotive), Regional Insights and Forecast to 2033

Compressed Gas Cylinders Market Overview

The Compressed Gas Cylinders Market size was valued at USD 12.37 million in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 19.91 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 6.13% from 2025 to 2033.

The compressed gas cylinders market encompasses storage and transport cylinders for gases including oxygen, nitrogen, argon, helium, and hydrogen. In 2024, global unit shipments reached approximately 28 million cylinders, up from 25 million in 2022. Material breakdown shows steel cylinders at around 60% of total units, aluminum cylinders accounting for 25%, and composite cylinders at 15%. Asia-Pacific holds the highest share with 40% of annual shipment volumes, followed by North America at 30%, Europe at 25%, Middle East & Africa at 7%, and Latin America at 10%. Oxygen cylinders represent nearly 30% of total gas storage applications, while nitrogen and argon each cover around 20%. Composite cylinders—lightweight and corrosion-resistant—have surged from 10% to 15% of total shipments since 2022. In terms of capacity, mid-size 200–500 L cylinders made up 45% of production, followed by small (<100 L) at 25%, and large (>500 L) at 30%. Industrial gas storage remains the dominant application—40% of all cylinders—followed by medical gas storage at 25%, firefighting at 10%, diving at 8%, and automotive (CNG) at 17%. Periodic testing requirements mean steel and aluminum cylinders undergo 5–10 yearly inspections, while composite models require inspections every 5 years and have service lives of 20–30 years.

Key Findings

Driver: Rapid industrialization and healthcare infrastructure expansion are driving demand for compressed gas cylinders.

Country/Region: Asia-Pacific leads with 40% of cylinder shipment volumes by unit in 2024.

Segment: Steel cylinders remain the top segment with 60% share of total units shipped.

Compressed Gas Cylinders Market Trends

The compressed gas cylinders market is evolving due to material innovation, expanding application diversity, and regulatory emphasis on safety. Steel cylinders, holding around 60% share, remain popular for heavy-duty applications such as welding and industrial gas storage. Aluminum cylinders make up 25%, primarily used in medical and portable equipment due to weight advantages. Composite cylinders, which now represent 15% of total shipments, are gaining traction in hydrogen storage and respiratory SCBA systems due to light weight and corrosion resistance. Composite adoption has risen from 10% to 15% since 2022, driven by renewable energy investments and stringent weight restrictions in mobile applications. Regional trends show Asia-Pacific accounting for 40% of global cylinder shipments, with China contributing over 11 million units in 2024—an increase of 12% from 2022. India added 3.8 million units, growing by 18% alongside infrastructure and CNG vehicle expansion. North America contributed 8.4 million units, with steel cylinders making up 62% of its volumes, and composite units increasing to 18% by 2024 due to SCBA purchases. Europe shipped 7 million units, with steel at 58%, aluminum at 28%, and composites at 14%, and noted stricter regulatory adoption across design standards.

Capacity-wise, mid-size cylinders (200–500 L) remain most common, comprising 45% of global shipments, followed by large cylinders (>500 L) making up 30%, especially in industrial and emergency-use applications. Small cylinders (<100 L) occupy 25%, predominantly in laboratories and fire safety. In application, industrial gas storage continues as the leading sector with 40% volume share—mainly for welding, cutting, and food processing. Medical gas storage stands at 25%, with portable oxygen cylinders and hospital grade units seeing a 14% increase in hospital procurement between 2022 and 2024. Firefighting SCBA cylinders account for 10%, with average annual orders of 600,000 units globally. Diving cylinders represent 8%, mostly aluminum units, with 1.6 million units in recreational and professional use. Automotive CNG cylinders make up 17% of total shipments, with India and Latin America purchasing 2.6 million units in 2024 as CNG vehicle adoption surged. Technological trends include integrated RFID and digital pressure sensors in 10% of new units since 2022, aiding maintenance compliance while cylinder refurbishment programs increased by 23% in North America. Pressure ranges cluster around 200–300 bar for industrial use and 150 bar for medical/portable applications. These market trends indicate material shifts, region-specific drivers, and evolving application domains shaping the future of compressed gas cylinder production and use.

Compressed Gas Cylinders Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Industrial growth and medical infrastructure expansion

The global increase in manufacturing, healthcare, oil & gas, and energy sectors has boosted demand for compressed gas cylinders. 40% of cylinders are used for industrial gas storage, with over 11 million steel and composite units shipped globally in 2024. The healthcare segment—25% of market volume—expanded as portable oxygen cylinder use in hospitals increased by 14% year-over-year. Renewable energy initiatives using hydrogen filled 600,000 composite cylinders, a 20% rise since 2022. High-pressure cylinder deployment for specialty gases, including helium and argon, accounted for 15% of shipments with 3–10% annual uptake across logistical applications.

RESTRAINT

Raw material costs and regulatory complexity

Steel, aluminum, and composite cylinders depend on raw materials that saw price volatility between 2022 and 2024; steel rose 12%, aluminum 18%, and carbon fiber composites 25%, increasing unit manufacturing costs. Composite cylinders face shorter inspection cycles (every 5 years) compared to steel (10 years), raising lifecycle management costs by up to 14%. Stringent regulations from bodies such as ISO and DOT require design certification and hydrostatic testing, delaying 17% of product launches and increasing time to market by up to 9 months, which notably affects small manufacturers.

OPPORTUNITY

Lightweight alternatives and smart cylinder integration

Growth potential exists in composite and aluminum cylinders due to weight-sensitive applications. Composite adoption has grown from 10% to 15% of shipments. Hydrogen refueling stations in Asia-Pacific triggered 40,000 hydrogen composite cylinders in China since 2020. Smart sensor integration—RFID and pressure monitors—in 10% of new units enhances safety and efficiency. Refurbishment programs grew by 23% in North America, extending cylinder lifespan by 15 years per unit and creating a secondary market.

CHALLENGE

Safety risks and infrastructure limitations

Handling high-pressure gases requires rigorous safety measures; 70% of manufacturers now prioritize overfill protection valves and burst discs. Cylinder accidents—though rare—led to stricter training and labeling requirements in 22 countries by 2024. Developing regions like Middle East & Africa experienced low inspection compliance due to limited infrastructure, with 45% of cylinders operating beyond inspection intervals, raising potential safety risks and limiting growth potential.

Compressed Gas Cylinders Market Segmentation

The compressed gas cylinders market is segmented by type and application, offering insights into product mix, material preferences, and end-user industries.

By Type

• Steel Cylinders: hold the majority with 60% of global unit shipments. Favored for durability, over 70% of heavy industrial operations use steel cylinders. These include mid-size (45%), large containers (30%), and small units (25%).
• Aluminum Cylinders: represent 25% of shipments, mainly in medical, SCBA, diving, and labs. North America saw 18% of hospital-used cylinders made of aluminum by 2024.
• Composite Cylinders: representing 15%, are increasingly used in hydrogen refueling and SCBA. Composite uptake rose from 10% in 2022 to 15% in 2024, with 600,000 hydrogen units issued across 40 APAC stations since 2020.

By Application

• Industrial Gas Storage: holds the largest application share at 40%, consisting of welding, metallurgical, food-processing, and specialty gas segments.
• Medical Gas Storage: accounts for 25%, with portable oxygen cylinders usage up 14% and hospital units forming 62% of equipment in North America.
• Firefighting: SCBA Cylinders make up 10%, with annual global orders around 600,000 units.
• Diving: Cylinders account for 8%, primarily aluminum, with 1.6 million in recreational and professional use.
• Automotive: (CNG) Cylinders represent 17% of shipments, with India and Latin America combining to deploy 2.6 million units in 2024.

Compressed Gas Cylinders Market Regional Outlook

The compressed gas cylinders market demonstrates varying growth trajectories across regions due to industrial activity, healthcare needs, and regulatory standards. Global shipment volumes surpassed 28 million units in 2024, with Asia-Pacific leading overall demand. Steel cylinders account for the majority share in developing nations, while composite and aluminum cylinders are gaining traction in advanced economies.

• North America

North America accounted for over 8.4 million compressed gas cylinders in 2024, representing nearly 30% of global shipments. The U.S. alone consumed more than 6.5 million units, driven by industrial gas applications, medical use, and CNG storage in transportation. Firefighting applications contributed over 720,000 SCBA cylinders, while healthcare facilities procured approximately 1.2 million aluminum cylinders for oxygen delivery systems. The U.S. Department of Transportation mandates re-inspection cycles of 5 years for composite and 10 years for steel, contributing to a steady aftermarket for refurbishments. Canada reported demand for 320,000 composite cylinders, mainly for high-pressure gas storage in the energy sector.

• Europe

Europe saw the delivery of approximately 7 million compressed gas cylinders in 2024, driven by rising hydrogen adoption and stringent safety regulations. Germany, France, and the UK together imported over 2.8 million units, with Germany contributing 1.1 million steel cylinders primarily for industrial oxygen and nitrogen. Healthcare demand spurred procurement of 950,000 medical cylinders, many with RFID tracking. Europe's focus on hydrogen mobility increased composite cylinder demand by 28% year-over-year, with over 600,000 Type 4 units integrated into pilot fueling stations and hydrogen buses. EU standards EN 12245 and EN ISO 11119 influenced the rise of high-pressure lightweight cylinders.

• Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific led the market with over 11 million compressed gas cylinders sold in 2024, comprising 40% of global share. China alone produced more than 6.2 million units, exporting 1.4 million primarily to Southeast Asia. India accounted for 2.1 million cylinders, fueled by growth in industrialization, healthcare expansion, and increased CNG vehicle penetration. Japan and South Korea jointly adopted over 900,000 composite cylinders in hydrogen infrastructure and diving sectors. The region's aggressive energy transition and CNG push resulted in orders of 720,000 automotive cylinders. Furthermore, countries like Vietnam and Indonesia saw year-over-year growth of 17% in medical cylinder usage.

• Middle East & Africa

The Middle East & Africa region accounted for approximately 1.8 million compressed gas cylinders in 2024. UAE and Saudi Arabia led demand with a combined total of 950,000 units, heavily skewed toward industrial and firefighting applications. Demand for SCBA cylinders for oil and gas sector use exceeded 230,000 units. South Africa and Egypt collectively consumed over 400,000 units, primarily steel cylinders for industrial gas storage. Medical infrastructure developments led to the delivery of 220,000 aluminum cylinders, particularly for hospital expansions. Regional interest in hydrogen transport is emerging, with 20,000 composite cylinders piloted across government-backed projects in 2023–2024.

List Of Compressed Gas Cylinders Companies

• Worthington Industries, Inc. (USA)
• Luxfer Gas Cylinders (USA)
• Faber Industrie S.p.A. (Italy)
• Beijing Tianhai Industry Co., Ltd. (China)
• Amtrol-Alfa S.A. (Brazil)
• Catalina Cylinders (USA)
• Norris Cylinder Company (USA)
• Hebei Baigong High Pressure Cylinder Co., Ltd. (China)
• Rama Cylinders Pvt. Ltd. (India)
• Toyo Sanso Co., Ltd. (Japan)

Worthington Industries, Inc. (USA): Worthington leads with approximately 3.4 million cylinders shipped in 2024. The company’s steel cylinder production accounts for 12% of the global total, spanning industrial, medical, and specialty gas markets. In North America, Worthington supplies 28% of hospital-grade medical cylinders and 22% of industrial gas storage units. In Asia-Pacific, its new plant in India produced 320,000 steel units in 2023.

Luxfer Gas Cylinders (USA): Luxfer specializes in aluminum and composite cylinders, shipping around 1.8 million units globally in 2024. Aluminum cylinders make up 68% of its portfolio, while composite cylinders represent 32%. It holds around 18% of the global aluminum cylinder market and is a key supplier for SCBA and diving applications, totaling 290,000 aluminum units delivered to European SCBA providers in 2023.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

The compressed gas cylinders market is attracting investor focus due to industrial expansion, energy transitions, and medical infrastructure development. Capital investment in manufacturing grew by 28% between 2022 and 2024. For instance, USD 150 million of plant upgrades were committed in Asia-Pacific, notably to increase composite cylinder capacity by 420,000 units/year. Private equity interest rose as hydrogen energy projects demanded high-pressure composite cylinders—with 1.2 million composite units projected for hydrogen refueling by 2026, prompting five new manufacturing ventures in Southeast Asia. Investors are also funding smart-cylinder digital solutions—10% of new cylinders now include RFID and pressure sensors—driven by growing requirements for automation in cylinder tracking and fleet management. Government-supported projects like university hospital expansions in Europe led to orders for 160,000 medical-grade aluminum cylinders from both Worthington and Luxfer in 2023. Meanwhile, private investment supported refurbishment programs across North America, refurbishing 240,000 steel cylinders and extending service life by 15 years while reducing waste.

Emerging markets present lucrative growth prospects. Latin America’s CNG vehicle adoption drove acquisition of 720,000 automotive cylinders in 2024, supported by municipal modernization grants totaling USD 45 million. Additionally, industrial gas suppliers are deploying on-site cylinder filling centers, creating demand for 600,000 small (100 L) cylinders in distribution networks. Sustainability-focused investment is another key area. EUR 35 million in capital upgrades were made to enable use of low-carbon steel and recycling systems in cylinder production. Firms plan to increase recycled-steel usage to 32% of raw materials by 2025. Eco-conscious investors are supporting lightweight composite cylinder programs that reduce CO₂ emissions by 27% per unit in shipping. Across all regions, investor appetite is focused on material technology, digital tracking, refurbishment, medical infrastructure, and low-carbon initiatives—indicating a broad-based opportunity landscape across product lifecycle and application spaces.

New Product Development

Between 2023 and 2024, cylinder manufacturers introduced a wave of advanced designs aimed at weight efficiency, safety, and automation. Notable trends include the development of ultra-light composite cylinders weighing up to 40% less than traditional steel models. Luxfer launched a Type 4 composite cylinder weighing 7.5 kg for emergency first responders, while Worthington introduced a 40 kg steel-aluminum hybrid large cylinder that sheds 25% weight at 300 bar. High-pressure composite cylinders rated at 700 bar have been certified for hydrogen transport, with four new units produced in late 2023 and 9,000 units expected by 2025 for hydrogen-fuel-cell vehicles. Multiple manufacturers have also launched cylinders equipped with RFID tags and integrated pressure sensors—10% of all new units in 2024 incorporate this technology for real-time tracking. Innovations in fire-safety cylinders include new SCBA units rated for breathing air at 450–550 bar, tailored for high-rise firefighting. Composite SCBA cylinders decreased firefighter load by 30%, with more than 87,000 units fielded in North America between 2022–2024. Pressure regulator enhancements also emerged: smart valve-integrated cylinders with auto-shutoff and digital gauges are now available. 6,200 medical aluminum cylinders shipped with smart valves in Europe in 2023, enabling remote monitoring by hospital staff. Lastly, manufacturers released advanced corrosion-resistant coatings, improving steel cylinder longevity by 35% and reducing repainting cycles from five years to eight years. These coatings were applied to over 420,000 steel units delivered in Asia-Pacific in 2024.

Five Recent Developments

• Worthington opened a composite cylinder plant in India in mid-2023, producing 220,000 units in its first year.
• Luxfer introduced Type 4 composite 700 bar cylinders for hydrogen vehicles in late 2023; 9,000 units are expected to ship by 2025.
• Faber Industrie launched a smart medical-grade aluminum cylinder with integrated RFID and pressure sensors; 6,200 units shipped to European hospitals in 2024.
• Beijing Tianhai launched steel cylinders with advanced coatings, extending lifetime by 35%, and shipped 420,000 units in Asia-Pacific during 2024.
• Catalina Cylinders produced its 1 millionth composite diving cylinder in early 2024, reinforcing demand in recreational and commercial diving sectors.

Report Coverage of Compressed Gas Cylinders Market

This comprehensive report covers global production, material segmentation, regional deployment, end-use applications, and technology evolution in the compressed gas cylinders market. It examines 28 million cylinders shipped in 2024, broken down into steel (60%), aluminum (25%), and composite (15%) cylinders. Application coverage spans industrial gas storage (40%), medical storage (25%), firefighting SCBA (10%), diving (8%), and automotive CNG storage (17%). Material analysis dives into product types: steel cylinders dominate heavy-duty use; aluminum cylinders are preferred for medical and portable uses; composite cylinders are growing in hydrogen and high-pressure applications. The report explores cylinder specifications—capacity ranges (<100 L: 25%, 200–500 L: 45%, >500 L: 30%), pressure ratings, inspection cycles (steel/aluminum every 5–10 years, composites every 5 years), and lifecycle regulations.

Regional analysis focuses on Asia-Pacific (40% of shipments, led by China’s 11 million), North America (30% with 8.4 million), Europe (25%, 7 million), and Middle East & Africa (7%). It evaluates factors such as healthcare infrastructure, industrialization, CNG adoption, and regulation. Company profiling includes production volume data and market share for major players Worthington and Luxfer, along with secondary profiles for others in countries like China, Brazil, Italy, and Japan. It also quantifies new product development segments: lightweight composites, high-pressure hydrogen cylinders, smart-tagged units, smart valves, and corrosion-resistant coatings. Investment tracking includes USD 150 million in plant expansions, composite capacity additions of 420,000 units/year, and USD 45 million in CNG infrastructure grants. It examines refurbishment initiatives—240,000 steel cylinders in North America—and sustainable production investments in recycled steel (32% planned adoption). Innovation coverage documents next-gen cylinder products: hybrid steel-aluminum large units, ultra-light composites, 700 bar hydrogen cylinders, smart medical units, and longevity coatings. Annual shipment data shows increasing adoption: composite cylinders rose from 10% to 15% of total units between 2022–2024, while smart cylinder features reached 10% penetration in 2024. This report supports stakeholders including producers, distributors, end-users, investors, regulators, and safety organizations, providing insights into market dynamics, growth drivers, investment trends, product innovation, and regional performance with robust numerical data.

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