United Kingdom (UK) Cryogenic Tanks Market Overview, 2031

Key Insights

• The United Kingdom cryogenic tank market is supported by established demand across LNG import infrastructure, industrial gases, healthcare, chemicals, advanced manufacturing, and emerging hydrogen applications. The country maintains significant cryogenic infrastructure associated with LNG import, storage, and regasification, while NHS procurement creates continuing requirements for bulk liquid oxygen systems and related tank equipment.
• LNG remains a major application area because the UK relies on large-scale import, storage, and regasification infrastructure. Milford Haven handled 70% of LNG moved through UK ports in 2025 and hosts the Dragon LNG and South Hook terminals. The Isle of Grain terminal, the UK's largest LNG import facility, currently provides regasification capacity of 21.7 bcm/year and storage capacity of 1 million cubic meters across eight tanks. An ongoing expansion project will add 5.3 bcm of regasification capacity and 200,000 cubic meters of additional storage capacity. These facilities require cryogenic storage tanks, transfer equipment, pumps, valves, instrumentation, and regasification systems, supporting recurring requirements for maintenance, replacement, and equipment modernization..
• Healthcare and life sciences provide a stable demand base for cryogenic tanks, particularly liquid oxygen, liquid nitrogen, and specialized storage systems. In 2025, NHS Shared Business Services established a framework covering medical and industrial gases, including bulk liquid oxygen and the provision and installation of vacuum-insulated evaporators with backup facilities. This demonstrates continuing institutional procurement of cryogenic-related infrastructure across UK healthcare facilities. Liquid tanks may be suited to an annual consumption range of 3,000 m³ to 40,000 m³ and can be connected together by a manifold to provide adequate storage capacity and flow rate.
• Hydrogen development is becoming an important long-term demand driver for UK cryogenic tank suppliers. Government policy supports the development of low-carbon hydrogen production, transportation, and storage, creating opportunities for specialized cryogenic tanks, transfer systems, valves, pumps, heat-transfer equipment, and instrumentation. The UK's hydrogen policy framework is increasingly focused on infrastructure development and industrial applications, although the timing and scale of individual projects remain dependent on investment and policy implementation.

Market Outlook

• According to the research report, "United Kingdom Cryogenic Tanks Market Overview, 2031," published by Bonafide Research, the United Kingdom Cryogenic Tanks Market is anticipated to add to more than USD 82.75 Million by 2026-31.
• The UK cryogenic tank market is expected to maintain a diversified demand structure rather than depend on a single application. LNG infrastructure provides an established tank base, while industrial gases and healthcare create recurring requirements for storage, pumping, vaporization, flow control, and instrumentation. Hydrogen represents a developing opportunity as government-supported production, transport, and storage infrastructure progresses.
• LNG-related tanks are expected to remain an important application area as the UK maintains existing terminal infrastructure and evaluates broader gas-storage and supply-security requirements. The Isle of Grain expansion, which adds 200,000 cubic meters of storage capacity, represents a significant ongoing opportunity for large stationary cryogenic storage tanks and associated LNG handling equipment.
• Industrial-gas applications should remain a core opportunity for cryogenic tank manufacturers. Nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and other industrial gases are consumed across manufacturing, metals, chemicals, healthcare, food processing, and other industries. The UK cryogenic bulk gas market is expected to witness steady growth, driven by increasing demand from healthcare, food processing, and industrial manufacturing sectors, as well as a growing focus on clean energy.
• Hydrogen infrastructure is likely to create the most significant emerging opportunity for specialized cryogenic tanks. The UK government identifies hydrogen transport and storage as an important component of the developing hydrogen economy and has outlined future infrastructure support. Liquid hydrogen remains an emerging and specialized opportunity, with projects such as HyPStore developing composite tanks incorporating graphene and self-healing systems for liquid hydrogen storage.

Policies

• UK cryogenic tank projects operate within a combination of national regulations, technical codes, and industry standards. The British Compressed Gas Association (BCGA) provides detailed guidance for the construction and layout of bulk cryogenic facilities, including BCGA CP 36 for cryogenic liquid storage at users' premises, BCGA CP 46 for the storage of cryogenic flammable fluids including liquid hydrogen, and BCGA CP 45 for inspection and maintenance requirements. These requirements make certification, engineering documentation, inspection, and safety performance important purchasing criteria for cryogenic tank suppliers.
• LNG projects face particularly specific technical and operational requirements. The UK's COMAH (Control of Major Accident Hazards) regulations apply to Upper Tier LNG facilities such as the Isle of Grain terminal, requiring stringent safety systems, emergency response planning, and operational compliance. The Grain LNG storage tank project complies with COMAH Upper Tier regulations, ensuring safe operations in a high-risk industrial environment. These requirements directly influence the design and procurement of cryogenic storage tanks, piping, valves, pumps, instrumentation, containment, and safety systems used in UK LNG facilities.
• Environmental and safety considerations are increasingly integrated into the UK's energy-equipment regulatory framework. UK standards activity includes requirements covering cryogenic vessels, valves, pressure-relief devices, vacuum insulation, gas/material compatibility, and cryogenic pumps. BSI's PVE/18 committee provides UK input into European and international cryogenic-vessel standardization, creating a structured technical environment for equipment manufacturers and users. There are also discussions underway to make it mandatory for liquid hydrogen tanks to be manufactured to UKCA standards, which would require valves to be UKCA rated.
• Energy policy is increasingly centered on reliability, energy security, and clean-energy infrastructure. The UK government continues to advance hydrogen, LNG, and industrial decarbonization projects. The Clean Hydrogen Investment Tax Credit and related policy frameworks support investment in cryogenic tank systems that enable clean hydrogen production, storage, and distribution. These policies can influence the timing and structure of infrastructure projects and therefore the procurement of cryogenic storage tanks, transfer systems, and safety equipment required by energy and industrial-gas facilities.

Industry News

• In July 2025, The Isle of Grain LNG terminal completed a major expansion adding a 190,000 m³ full-containment LNG storage tank, bringing the site's total capacity to 1,200,000 m³. The new tank uses a 9% nickel steel inner tank with a pre-stressed concrete outer shell and perlite insulation, enabling Grain LNG to supply up to 25% of UK gas demand during peak periods.
• QatarEnergy commenced utilization of LNG storage and regasification capacity at the Isle of Grain terminal under a long-term agreement covering up to 7.2 million tons per annum. The first LNG cargo was delivered in July 2025, marking the launch of a 25-year contract.
• Energy Capital Partners and Centrica completed the acquisition of Grain LNG from National Grid for an enterprise value of approximately £1.5 billion. The terminal is undergoing an expansion of 5.3 bcm additional regasification capacity and an additional 200,000 m³ of storage capacity.
• A UK network of bio LNG refueling stations is being rolled out, each equipped with high-flow cryogenic dispensers and large-capacity LNG storage tanks designed to refuel HGVs within minutes.
• Chart Industries expanded its cryogenic aftermarket network with a new workshop in Chesterfield, UK, opened in 2025, providing helium leak detection, outer vessel repair, pipework modification, pump replacement, valve replacement, and detailed fault diagnosis for cryogenic tanks.

Segment Analysis

United Kingdom Cryogenic Tanks Market By Product Type
• Large Stationary Cryogenic Tanks: Large stationary tanks have strong relevance in the UK because LNG terminals, industrial-gas facilities, and large manufacturing plants require reliable bulk storage of liquefied gases. The Isle of Grain LNG terminal operates eight tanks with a combined storage capacity of 1 million cubic meters, and the recent expansion added a 190,000 m³ full-containment tank. These tanks require COMAH compliance, vacuum insulation, and low boil-off performance. Demand centers on field-erected tanks with high-capacity containment, with safety, insulation performance, reliability, and maintenance capability influencing procurement.
• Medium Stationary Cryogenic Tanks: Medium stationary tanks serve regional LNG peak-shaving plants, industrial gas distribution centers, and medium-sized air separation units across the UK. These tanks bridge the gap between large field-erected storage and small portable vessels, offering flexibility for growing industrial gas networks and small-scale LNG applications. Demand is supported by industrial gas producers and distributors operating bulk storage networks across chemicals, food, electronics, and metals sectors.
• Microbulk / Small Cryogenic Tanks: Microbulk and small tanks include liquid cylinders, dewars, and small vacuum-insulated vessels used in UK healthcare, laboratory research, food processing, and specialty manufacturing. NHS hospitals use liquid oxygen tanks with capacities from 1,000 litres up to 100,000 litres, refilled on-site using LOX cryogenic road tankers. Demand is supported by hospital expansion, bio banking growth, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and food cold-chain investment. The adoption of automated cryogenic storage systems for high-throughput bio banks is growing, particularly for biological sample preservation.
• Cryogenic Transport Tanks: Cryogenic transport tanks are mounted on trucks, trailers, or railcars for moving liquefied gases across the UK. Demand is closely linked to LNG trucking, industrial gas distribution, and hydrogen mobility. Wessington Cryogenics, a UK-based manufacturer established in 1984, produces cryogenic road tankers and ISO containers alongside bulk storage tanks and dewars. Safety, insulation performance, and boil-off management are critical design considerations for UK transport application.
• Cryogenic ISO Tank Containers: Cryogenic ISO tank containers are standardized intermodal containers used for transporting liquefied gases by ship, rail, and road. Demand is growing as global cryogenic supply chains become more integrated and as small-scale LNG and hydrogen trade expands. UK manufacturers including Wessington Cryogenics produce intermodal ISO tank containers for nitrogen, argon, oxygen, and helium applications.
United Kingdom Cryogenic Tanks Market By Cryogen
• LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas): LNG is a strategically important cryogen for the UK because the country relies on large-scale import, storage, and regasification infrastructure. Milford Haven handled 70% of LNG moved through UK ports in 2025 and hosts the Dragon LNG and South Hook terminals. The Isle of Grain terminal, which currently provides regasification capacity of 21.7 bcm/year and storage capacity of 1 million cubic meters, is undergoing expansion that will add 200,000 cubic meters of additional storage capacity. LNG creates requirements for large stationary cryogenic storage tanks, transport tanks, and associated transfer systems across terminal infrastructure.
• Liquid Nitrogen (LIN): Liquid nitrogen is highly relevant to the UK's industrial-gas and manufacturing sectors and is used for cooling, inerting, food processing, healthcare, laboratories, and specialized production. UK demand is supported by industrial gas suppliers including BOC and Air Products, which operate extensive distribution networks. Liquid nitrogen tanks are used in food freezing applications for quick freezing of meat, seafood, and produce, as well as in semiconductor manufacturing for wafer fabrication. Hospitals and research facilities prioritize safety and supply reliability, while industrial users emphasize continuous availability and efficient bulk delivery.
• Liquid Oxygen (LOX): Liquid oxygen supports the UK's healthcare, metals, chemicals, and industrial-gas applications. Medical oxygen supply requires dependable storage and vaporization, with NHS hospitals using liquid oxygen storage tanks refilled by cryogenic tankers and vacuum-insulated evaporators for medical gas pipeline systems. Industrial users require controlled oxygen delivery for metal processing and other applications. Cryogenic tanks, pumps, vaporizers, valves, and monitoring equipment therefore remain important across production and distribution facilities serving hospitals and industrial customers.
• Liquid Argon (LAR): Liquid argon serves UK welding, metal-processing, steel, manufacturing, and specialized industrial applications. UK manufacturers including Wessington Cryogenics produce cryogenic vessels for argon storage and distribution. Storage, transfer, vaporization, and flow-control equipment are required to maintain reliable supply, particularly for manufacturing and metalworking operations.
• Liquid Hydrogen (LH₂): Liquid hydrogen is an emerging and specialized opportunity in the UK. The country has an established hydrogen industrial-gas base, and government policy supports the development of low-carbon hydrogen production, transportation, and storage. Projects such as HyPStore are developing composite tanks incorporating graphene and self-healing systems for liquid hydrogen storage, supported by Innovate UK and the UK-Australia Renewable Hydrogen Innovation Partnership Program. ZeroAvia operates a Liquid Hydrogen Test Centre at Cotswold Airport for aircraft and component testing. Cryogenic tank suppliers must address hydrogen compatibility, extremely low temperatures, insulation, leakage control, and specialized safety requirements.
• Liquid Helium: Liquid helium has specialized applications in the UK's healthcare, research, superconducting, and advanced-technology environments. MRI systems and scientific facilities require reliable cryogenic management because helium operates at extremely low temperatures. The National Cryogenics Facility at Daresbury provides liquid helium at 2K for particle accelerator and quantum computing applications. Demand is concentrated in specialized institutions rather than broad industrial applications, with opportunities for cryostats, storage, recovery, transfer, and monitoring systems
• Other cryogens serve comparatively specialized applications across the UK's chemical, aerospace, electronics, defense, research and advanced-manufacturing sectors. These applications often require customized equipment because operating temperatures, pressures, purity requirements and material compatibility vary significantly between fluids. Consequently, demand is more technology-intensive and project-specific, favoring suppliers capable of engineering application-specific storage, transfer and monitoring solutions.



United Kingdom Cryogenic Tanks Market By End-Use Industry
• The Energy & LNG sector is a foundational demand driver for the UK cryogenic tanks market, supported by extensive LNG import and regasification infrastructure. The UK's strategic LNG terminals, such as the Isle of Grain and Milford Haven, rely on large stationary cryogenic tanks for storage and regasification. The UK holds approximately 6% of the global cryogenic tank market, driven significantly by LNG import infrastructure. The UK's LNG storage tank market is experiencing steady growth due to increasing demand for natural gas as a clean energy source and government initiatives to reduce carbon emissions. Key players in this sector include Chart Industries, Air Products, and Linde plc, who supply large-scale tanks, pumps, vaporizers, and associated equipment for LNG terminals.
• The Manufacturing and Industrial sector represents a broad and diversified demand base for cryogenic tanks, primarily for the storage of liquid nitrogen (LIN), liquid oxygen (LOX), and liquid argon (LAR). These gases are essential for metal processing, welding, heat treatment, and general industrial operations. The UK cryogenic tanks market is supported by expanding applications in industrial gases, with increasing demand from industrial gas suppliers driving innovations in tank design and safety features. The UK cryogenic bulk gas market is expected to witness steady growth driven by increasing demand from the industrial manufacturing sector. The UK's established industrial gas distribution networks, operated by companies like BOC (Linde), Air Products, and Air Liquide, provide the infrastructure for bulk cryogenic storage and on-site supply to manufacturing facilities.
• The Healthcare sector is a critical and resilient end-user of cryogenic tanks, primarily for the storage of liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid nitrogen (LIN). NHS Shared Business Services has established a framework agreement covering the provision and installation of bulk liquid oxygen and vacuum-insulated evaporators (VIE), including backup facilities and maintenance. This demonstrates significant institutional procurement of cryogenic infrastructure across UK healthcare facilities. Liquid oxygen is essential for treating respiratory disorders and for high-oxygen surgeries. Liquid nitrogen is used for biobanking, laboratory research, and pharmaceutical applications, with demand supported by hospital expansion and growth in biotechnology research.
• The Electronics and Semiconductor sector is an emerging and high-growth end-use industry for cryogenic tanks in the UK. Ultra-high-purity liquid nitrogen and argon are essential for semiconductor fabrication processes. The UK cryogenic bulk gas market is seeing expansion of semiconductor-related research and advanced manufacturing contributing to market development. The UK helium market, in which the main application is for semiconductor devices in electronics, was estimated at USD 86.83 million in 2024 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 8.10% from 2025 to 2035. Specialized cryogenic equipment, such as vacuum-jacketed dynamic and sealed SEMIFLEX LN2 pipes, is used for on-demand supply to semiconductor facilities.
• The Food and Beverage sector provides stable, recurring demand for cryogenic tanks, primarily for liquid nitrogen (LIN) used in rapid freezing and chilling applications. BOC has been providing cryogenic freezing and chilling technologies to the UK food industry for over 50 years, helping producers accelerate freezing times, lock in nutrients, and reduce dehydration to maintain product quality. Liquid nitrogen is also used for modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) to extend shelf life and for transport cooling with dry ice. The UK is expected to grow with the highest CAGR in the European cryogenic tanks market for the food industry over the forecast period.
• The Chemical and Petrochemical sector relies on cryogenic tanks for low-temperature storage and transport of products such as ethylene and propylene, as well as for industrial gases used in processing. The UK cryogenic tanks market serves the storage and transport of liquefied gases such as nitrogen, oxygen, and LNG, catering to chemical and petrochemical facilities. Market segmentation for the UK cryogenic tanks market includes end-use industries such as metal processing, energy generation, and chemicals. Demand is driven by the need for reliable, safe, and efficient handling of cryogenic fluids at extremely low temperatures.
• The Aerospace and Space sector is a strategically important and technically demanding end-use industry for cryogenic tanks in the UK. This sector is driving research and development into liquid hydrogen (LH₂) storage for zero-carbon aviation. The UK government's "Fly Zero" roadmap and the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) are actively supporting the development of cryogenic hydrogen storage and fuel systems. Current liquid hydrogen ground and space-based tanks will not meet the needs of future aircraft, driving the need for new tank designs. The UK is projected to capture a progressively larger share of the hydrogen aerospace market from 2050 onwards.
• The Water Treatment and Other sectors represent a smaller but specialized application area for cryogenic tanks. The UK cryogenic tanks market is segmented by end-use industry, which includes water treatment. Cryogenic gases, such as liquid oxygen, are used in water treatment processes for aeration and odor control, while carbon dioxide is used for pH control. Additionally, research institutions, universities, and laboratories represent niche demand centers for specialized cryogenic tanks for scientific and environmental applications.


Considered in this report
Historic Year: 2020
Base year: 2025
Estimated year: 2026
Forecast year: 2031
Aspects covered in this report

Cryogenic Tanks with its value and forecast along with its segments
Various drivers and challenges
On-going trends and developments
Top profiled companies
Strategic recommendation



By Product Type
Large Stationary Cryogenic Tanks
Medium Stationary Cryogenic Tanks
Microbulk / Small Cryogenic Tanks
Cryogenic Transport Tanks
Cryogenic ISO Tank Containers

By End User
Energy & LNG
Manufacturing / Industrial
Chemical & Petrochemical
Healthcare
Electronics & Semiconductor
Food & Beverage
Aerospace & Space
Water Treatment / Other

By Gas Type
LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas)
Liquid Nitrogen (LIN)
Liquid Oxygen (LOX)
Liquid Argon (LAR)
Other (Liquid Hydrogen, Liquid Helium, etc.)