Process, Controls & Plant Focus on: Compressed Air 20 | Plant & Works Engineering www.pwemag.co.uk February/March 2026 As industries across the UK face mounting pressure to decarbonise, improve efficiency, and rethink traditional production processes, air and gas technologies are playing a pivotal role in that transition. From nitrogen generation and wastewater treatment to hydrogen compression and carbon capture, the boundaries of what’s possible are rapidly expanding. Chris Hyde, recently appointed Business Line Manager for the Air and Gas Applications (AGA) division at Atlas Copco Compressors UK, shares his perspective with PWE on how the market is changing - and why a deeper understanding of applications will be key to driving progress. 1. Industry and market context PWE: You’ve joined at a time when many UK manufacturers are under pressure to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions. What trends are you seeing in how air and gas technologies are evolving to meet that challenge? CH: There’s a lot of historic practice in the UK - things have been done a certain way for many years. When Atlas Copco first introduced variable speed drive (VSD) compressors, it took time for the market to understand the long-term benefits, but eventually it became the industry standard. The same cycle is happening again now in the air and gas sector. In areas like nitrogen and oxygen generation, customers have traditionally relied on bulk supply through cylinders or tanks. But rising energy and logistics costs are prompting a shift towards on-site generation. The ability to produce the exact amount and purity required - and only when it’s needed - gives operators far greater control over cost and efficiency. Compressed air is sometimes referred to as the fourth utility, and gases like nitrogen and oxygen are increasingly seen the same way. Businesses want ownership of those utilities so they can optimise them rather than depend on third-party suppliers. PWE: What sectors are showing the most momentum in their use of air and gas systems – and why? CH: The biggest growth area in the UK right now is probably laser cutting and the energy sector, such as hydrogen and biogas. It’s a mature industry, but manufacturers are realising they can tailor nitrogen purity to their process instead of using standard high-purity cylinders. For example, a firm producing general components might not need 99.999% nitrogen purity. On-site systems allow them to generate 95% or 99%, which cuts costs without affecting quality. That flexibility is a huge advantage. Oxygen generation is another growth area, particularly in veterinary and medical settings. In high-pressure applications, PET bottle manufacturing continues to be a strong market. What unites all these sectors is a desire to make better use of utilities - producing what’s needed, when it’s needed, at lower cost and with less waste. PWE: How do you see air and gas technologies contributing to the broader netzero transition within UK industry? CH: Air and gas applications will have a major role to play, especially in green gases. Carbon capture, biogas, and hydrogen are all areas where we can directly help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We’re already supplying technology that removes carbon from processes and stores it for reuse elsewhere. Hydrogen is a good example of an emerging market that’s still developing but full of potential. The technology is new to many people, but we’re beginning to see real movement as funding increases and projects scale up. The key will be moving from pilot plants to mainstream adoption - when hydrogen starts powering generators or transport fleets, we’ll see a step change in emissions reduction. Air and gas systems underpin all that progress. 2. Technology and application insight PWE: There’s been a lot of talk about biogas and carbon capture – but what practical changes are happening on the ground in those areas? CH: The UK already has an established network of biogas plants, but most of the activity we’re seeing now involves upgrading and retrofitting existing sites. Operators want to The evolving role of air and gas technologies Chris Hyde, Business Line Manager for Air and Gas Applications at Atlas Copco Compressors UK, discusses with PWE how on-site generation, digitalisation, and emerging applications such as hydrogen and carbon capture are reshaping the industrial landscape.
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