Business areas

Compressor Technique

The Compressor Technique business area provides compressed air and gas solutions such as industrial compressors, gas and process compressors and expanders, air and gas treatment equipment, air management systems, and service through a global network.
Atlas Copco SF4+ scroll compressor in a lab.

Vision and strategy

The vision is to be First in Mind—First in Choice as a supplier of compressed air and gas solutions by being interactive, committed and innovative, and by offering the best value to customers. The strategy is to further develop a leading position in selected niches and growing the business in a way that is economically, environmentally and socially responsible. This should be done by capitalizing on the strong global market presence, improving market penetration in mature and developing markets, and continuously developing improved products and solutions to satisfy customer demands.

The presence is enhanced by utilizing several commercial brands. Key strategies include growing the service business as well as developing businesses within focused areas such as air-treatment equipment, blowers, and compressor solutions for green energy segments, trains, ships, and hospitals.

By offering the most energy-efficient products, the business aims to contribute to a better tomorrow and to support customers in meeting their sustainability ambitions. The business area is actively looking at acquiring complementary businesses.

The Market

The global market for equipment for compression of air and gases, gas treatment equipment, and related services, is characterized by a diversified customer base. The customers request solutions that are reliable, productive, efficient, and suited to specific applications. Customers are also increasingly looking for partners to support them in their sustainability ambitions.

Compressors are used in a broad spectrum of applications. Clean, dry, and oil-free air, is needed in industrial processes, e.g. the food, pharmaceutical, electronics, and textile industries. Compressors are used in wastewater treatment, and increasingly in applications contributing to the transition to a low-carbon society, such as green hydrogen, LNG, carbon capture, and batteries for electric vehicles. Compressed air is also used in automation and in sectors as diverse as hospitals and high-speed trains.

Blowers are used in applications where there is a need for a consistent flow of low-pressure air, for example in wastewater treatment, and conveying.

Gas and process compressors and expanders are supplied to various process industries, such as carbon capture, hydrogen, air separation plants, power utilities, chemical and petrochemical plants, and LNG applications.

Stationary industrial air compressors and associated air-treatment products, spare parts and service represent about 90% of revenues. Large gas and process compressors, including related service, represent about 10%.

Market trends

  • Increased focus on energy efficiency, optimization, energy recovery, and the reduction of CO2 emissions
  • Accelerated investments in market segments contributing to a low-carbon society
  • Focus on total solution and total life-cycle cost
  • The combination of cloud technology, big data and AI/machine learning increases the demand for data-driven service solutions
  • New applications for compressed air and gases

Demand drivers

  • Industrial production
  • The transition to a low-carbon society
  • Energy costs
  • The need for decreased CO2 emissions drives demand for more energy-efficient machinery

Market position

A leading market position globally in most of its operations.

See our other business areas

Vacuum Technique

The Vacuum Technique business area provides vacuum products, exhaust management systems, valves and related products, and service through a global network.
An employee pauses from working on a machine with a handheld tool, to look at someone or something over his shoulder out of frame.​

Industrial Technique

The Industrial Technique business area provides industrial power tools, assembly and machine vision solutions, quality assurance products, and service through a global network.
A man with a lab coat, safety goggles and plastic gloves is working on a machine. ​

Power Technique

The Power Technique business area provides portable air and power, industrial and portable flow solutions through products such as mobile compressors, generators, energy storage systems, dewatering and industrial pumps, along with a number of complementary products. It also offers specialty rental and provides service through a global network.
Atlas Copco H450 VSD electric portable air compressor