It is a mix, but the United States holds a dominant position in the "brain" and "heart" of the industry—the specialized technology and the massive heat exchangers. However, the heavy machinery and support components are a truly global effort, with Germany, France, and Japan being the other major power players.
Here is how the "nationality" of the LNG equipment world breaks down:
1. The Core Technology (Heavily American)
When it comes to the actual process of turning gas into liquid, American companies are the clear leaders.
• Honeywell (USA): Recently acquired Air Products' LNG business, making them the undisputed king of the Main Cryogenic Heat Exchangers (MCHE). Roughly 80% of the world's LNG is made using their technology.
• ConocoPhillips (USA): Their "Optimized Cascade" process is the primary alternative to Honeywell’s tech and is licensed to plants all over the world.
• Chart Industries (USA): A global leader in the "cold boxes" and brazed aluminum heat exchangers used in smaller or modular plants.
2. The Heavy Machinery (A US-European Split)
To move the gas and compress it, you need turbines and compressors. This market is a face-off between the US and Europe.
• Baker Hughes (USA): One of the biggest suppliers of the massive turbines and centrifugal compressors that drive the cooling cycle.
• Siemens Energy (Germany): A massive competitor providing high-efficiency compression trains and power systems.
• Linde (Germany/UK): A major powerhouse that provides both the proprietary technology (competing with Honeywell) and the physical heat exchangers.
• Air Liquide (France): Another top-tier provider of liquefaction technology and cryogenic hardware.
3. Specialized Pumps & Valves (Strong Japanese Presence)
Moving liquid at -162°C requires physics-defying pumps. This niche is where Japan shines.
• Nikkiso & Ebara (Japan): These two companies manufacture the majority of the world's submerged cryogenic pumps. If you see a tank of LNG, there is a very high chance it has a Japanese pump inside.
• Atlas Copco (Sweden): Major provider of turbo-expanders used to drop the temperature of the gas.
4. Construction & Assembly (Global)
While American firms like Bechtel are famous for building these plants (especially in the US and Australia), the "building" side is very international:
• Technip Energies (France) and Saipem (Italy) are often the lead contractors for massive projects in Qatar, Africa, and the Arctic.
• JGC Holdings (Japan) is another massive player in the engineering and construction of these facilities.
