They are the nation’s ‘invisible industry’ – a multi-billion pound sector employing thousands of people, which makes a huge impact to our economic and social well-being.
The British Compressed Gases Association (BCGA), which has been the sector’s membership body since 1901, has produced this online area to give an insight into the scope and scale of this vital industry.
Read moreIndustrial gases are vital for the manufacture of information technology components, as well as key UK industrial sectors including steelmaking, welding, chemical processing, electronics and the scientific sectors. They help keep homes warm and water clean, ensure food stays nutritious, appealing and affordable, and also play a critical role in applications including respiratory care, pain therapies and anaesthesia.
Here you’ll find out our White Paper giving a background to the Invisible Industry, where the BCGA sets out the scope and scale of the industry and its vital role.
The links below are to websites of organisations which are of interest to those who work with industrial, food and medical gases.
Latest developments in Oxy-Hydrogen fuel cutting were top of the agenda for one of British Compressed Gases Association’s (BCGA) member groups, which leads safety standards in the sector. BCGA’s Technical Sub-Committee (TSC) 3 held its quarterly meeting at BOC’s Manufacturing Technology Centre in Wolverhampton, where members of the group were given the opportunity to find […]
The British Compressed Gases Association (BCGA) are delighted to be supporting IMechE’s Lifecycle of Pressure Systems 2026 conference on 28-29 October 2026 at One Birdcage Walk, London, a comprehensive “state-of-the-industry” to update for all those involved in the design, installation, management, operation and maintenance of pressure systems and their assets. The conference will also be […]
BCGA is pleased to announce that the search for its new Chief Executive Officer has begun. The opportunity: The British Compressed Gases Association (BCGA) is the leading UK trade association representing the interests of 100+ member companies. These companies, in the industrial, food and medical gases industries, include manufacturers and suppliers of liquefied, dissolved and compressed […]
The British Compressed Gases Association (BCGA) has announced the appointment of its new President, Matthias Kuhn, who has set out a vision for the national trade body for his two-year term in the role. Matthias takes up the leadership position within the membership body for the multi-billion-pound industrial and medical gases industry 16 years after […]
Oxy-fuel gas equipment. Selection and assembly. Revision 3: 2026 A summary of the requirements for selecting and assembling oxy-fuel gas equipment which supports the requirements of BCGA Code of Practice 7. BCGA TIS29- Oxy-fuel gas equipment. Selection and assembly. Revision 3: 2026 can be downloaded free of charge from the publications area of the website. 12 May […]
The safe use of oxy-fuel gas equipment (individual portable or mobile cylinder supply) Revision 10: 2026 Provides the minimum safety standards required for the assembly, examination, inspection, maintenance and use of individual portable or mobile cylinder oxy-fuel gas equipment, each gas being supplied from a cylinder and individually controlled by a cylinder-mounted pressure regulator. BCGA […]
The countdown is on for the BCGA Conference on 14th May, and we are looking forward to hearing from our keynote speaker, Helen Sharman. Helen has forged a distinguished career as a chemist and astronaut, famed when she became the first British person to visit space back in 1991. Since then, she has committed her career to sharing […]
BCGA Conference 2027 will be announced later this year.
4 March 2026 The British Compressed Gases Association (BCGA) has raised concerns over the misuse of large canisters of nitrous oxide, which are being imported illegitimately into the country. According to the national trade body, the nitrous oxide canisters, of approximately 600ml, have no legitimate use in the UK. The BCGA successfully campaigned for a […]
The British Compressed Gases Association (BCGA) is set to deliver a packed agenda of expert speakers at its annual conference in May. This year’s agenda has been developed to offer a broad perspective on key issues in the sector, with industry leaders sharing insight on a wide-range of subjects. Speakers include Professor Phil Longhurst, Director […]
13 January 2026 The British Compressed Gases Association (BCGA) is set to deliver a packed agenda of expert speakers at its annual conference in May. This year’s agenda has been developed to offer a broad prospective on key issues in the sector, with industry leaders sharing insight on a wide-range of subjects. Speakers include Professor […]
17 December 2025 BCGA Council broadens scope with new members The British Compressed Gases Association (BCGA) has expanded its Council withthe appointment of five new members.James Crossland, Simon Fisher, Andy Tassell, Rob Thorley and Kelly Vasir all joinas Board Directors, with a remit to oversee the work of the UK membership body forthe industrial and […]
