Linde's business is lighter than air. With operations in more than 100 countries, Linde is one of the leading gases and engineering companies in the world. The company runs two core operating segments: Gases, which maintains four product areas of Bulk, Cylinder, On-site and Healthcare gases; and Engineering. The latter builds process plants for companies in the petrochemical, pharmaceutical, and gas manufacturing industries. Founded by fridge magnate Carl von Linde in 1895, the company bears his name. In late 2016 the company agreed to be acquired by US-based rival Praxair for $35.1 billion.