Maxima Air Separation Center Ltd. is one of Israel’s leading producers of industrial gases, applications, systems and service orders for the supply of gas. The company manufactures, markets and supplies a wide range of industrial and medical gases including oxygen, nitrogen, argon, acetylene, helium, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and other special gases. These gases are used in the food, chemical, metal, electronics and pharmaceutical industries as well as in healthcare. Maxima also provides equipment and services for its products to the defense sector, the health services, food, agriculture and fisheries.

Maxima has extensive experience in gas applications and provides customers with advice on professional matters and safety.
Maxima Medical, a subsidiary, markets respiratory medical devices, devices for diagnosing and treating sleep disorders and services for diagnosing sleep disorders.

Maxima was founded in 1974 by two private businessmenn – Maxi Librati and Maurice Kahan. In the following year the company’s Air Separation Plant in Mitzpeh Ramon was inaugurated, and in 1997, Maxima’s production capability was increased with the establishment of an additional plant in Ramat Hovav to supply piped gas to customers like Teva, Makhteshim Agan and Israel Chemicals, and compressed gas also in liquid form. The company has been traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange since 1984. In the 12 years after 1996 the company was controlled by Praxair, one of the world’s largest industrial gas manufacturers, with annual global sales of $10 billion. In April 2008, Discount Investments, which until then had owned 24% of the company, completed its acquisition from Praxair and currently hold 75.5% of the company. Emilia Holdings holds 13.5% and the public holds the remaining 11%.

The company employs nearly 140 people.