Praxair makes lighter than air and heavier than air gases available for practical applications. The largest North American industrial gas supplier, it produces and sells atmospheric gases (oxygen, nitrogen, argon, and rare gases), as well as process and specialty gases (CO2, helium, and hydrogen), for the chemicals, food and beverage, semiconductor, and healthcare industries worldwide. It serves 25 industries across more than 50 countries. Its Praxair Surface Technologies unit supplies high-temperature and corrosion-resistant metallic, ceramic, and powder coatings, mainly to the aircraft, plastics, and primary metals markets. In 2016 the company agreed to buy Germany-based rival Linde for $35.1 billion.