INMATEC GaseTechnologie is one of the leading manufacturers of nitrogen and oxygen generators. Based in Herrsching, Germany, the company was founded in 1993. Since August 2023, INMATEC has been part of the BOGE Group, operating as an independent business unit.
Interview with Jean-Pierre Sevrain, General Manager at INMATEC.
Can you introduce your company and the core industrial technologies or services you provide?
Jean-Pierre Sevrain: As a premium manufacturer, we handle the design, production, commissioning and servicing of all systems for sustainable nitrogen and oxygen generation, delivering worldwide. To date, around 9,000 systems have been installed.
We offer various options of nitrogen generators, such as the PN Series, with or without a H2KAT catalyst. In combination with the H2KAT catalyst, the generator is designated PNK. These generators can produce nitrogen with purities of up to 99.9999% (6.0) and use either Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) technology or membrane technology to extract nitrogen directly from the environmental air. These special gas generators are designed for standard operating pressures of 7 to 11 bar, and feature particularly resistant molecular sieves and a user-friendly design. Our nitrogen applications have many uses. To name a few: they are used in laser cutting systems, to create protective atmospheres, for explosion protection, in fire extinguishing systems, and in food preservation systems.
INMATEC’s oxygen generators, such as the PO Series, also utilise PSA technology to produce oxygen with purities of up to 95%. These systems are ideal for applications in the medical sector, aquaculture, metal processing and other industries requiring a reliable, continuous on-site supply of oxygen.
What are some of the most complex challenges your clients face today, and how does your company address them?
J.P.S: Our customers are operating in an environment of global uncertainty and a reduced willingness to invest. At the same time, we as a supplier are competing more and more with cheaper products that are often lower quality. INMATEC meets these challenges by offering reliable, high-quality products ‘made in Germany’, tailored advice and cost-effective systems. Our many years of experience and engineering expertise form the foundation for sustainable customer satisfaction. Being part of the BOGE group provides our customers with the business stability they need in a fast-moving world.
How do your solutions contribute to increased productivity or efficiency in your clients’ operations?
J.P.S: The production of nitrogen or oxygen on site eliminates the need for storage, transportation, and third-party supply contracts. This not only reduces costs by up to 60 %, while also ensuring uninterrupted gas availability at the required level of purity. Our systems offer independence from market fluctuations and delivery bottlenecks, reduce the environmental impact to zero, and require significantly less installation space. Nitrogen can also be produced when energy is cheap and stored in molecules at up to 300 bar. Overall, they provide a future-proof and highly efficient alternative to conventional gas supply.
What strategies or technologies does your company use to ensure long-term value for your customers?
J.P.S: Our PSA-based nitrogen and oxygen generators are designed for high purity (up to 99.9999 % N₂ and 95 % O₂) and feature durable components such as long-life molecular sieves and low-maintenance sensors. PSA stands for Pressure Swing Adsorption. It is a method we use to separate gases. In our nitrogen generators, for instance, compressed air is pushed through a specific material that captures oxygen molecules, enabling nitrogen to pass through. Once the material is saturated, the pressure is reduced, and the trapped oxygen is released. Thanks to their modular design and scalable capacity, our systems can adapt flexibly to evolving requirements. Technologies such as the H₂KAT upgrade enable higher nitrogen purity and improved air factors, significantly boosting efficiency.
Can you share a recent project or case study where your solution significantly optimized a complex process?
J.P.S: After many years of failure-free use of an INMATEC system, a German manufacturer has made a new investment worth over one million euros for onsite nitrogen production using our largest generator with a total flow rate of more than 2200 Nm³/h. The decision, based on the company’s positive operating experience, proves that: Our systems meet the highest standards of availability, efficiency and durability.
In what ways do you tailor your solutions to meet the specific needs of different industries or sectors?
J.P.S: Nitrogen requirements vary depending on the industry. These can include ultra-high purity levels of 99.999 % for laser cutting or pharmaceutical applications, medium purity levels for food processing and soldering, and lower purity levels for fire prevention or pressure testing. Our modular systems and wide flow range ensure precise alignment with each application. We offer systems in stainless steel with redundant valves set up for safety applications and a pressure up to 13 bar. We also offer our customers specific add-on packages depending on their industry and the required purity: These include option packages with a flow sensor, an inlet pressure sensor and our intelligent AutoPure control system for optimized gas quality. Other options include additional temperature and dew point sensors as well as our EEC (Energy Efficiency Control) system, which minimizes energy consumption in combination with servo driven compressors. You can also contact us for special applications.
How does innovation play a role in the development of your optimized solutions?
J.P.S: Innovation lies at the heart of everything we do. In addition to continuous improvements, we also invest specifically in basic developments. In the hydrogen filtration process, for example, we have once again significantly enhanced the quality of nitrogen for industrial applications such as hardening, soldering and laser cutting, which benefits our customers.
What specific long-term benefits do your clients typically experience from adopting your solutions?
J.P.S: Our experience of over 30 years and 9,000 installed systems shows that customers benefit from stable operating costs, a reliable gas supply, sustainable spare parts availability and a global service network in the long term. Many systems have been running trouble-free for decades.
What feedback have you received from clients regarding productivity improvements or ROI after implementing your solutions?
J.P.S: Savings of up to 60 per cent are not uncommon. Many customers report amortisation within two to three years, which is evident in both economic and operational efficiency terms.
How do you ensure your solutions remain adaptable and scalable as your clients’ challenges become more complex?
J.P.S: Our close collaboration with customers allows us to understand their exact needs and translate them into tailor-made solutions. This is not just at the initial setup, but throughout the lifecycle of the installation. Backed by decades of engineering expertise, a flexible product platform, we ensure that our systems grow alongside our customers’ operations. More than a supplier, we act as a long-term technology partner focused on efficiency, safety, and future-readiness.
About INMATEC
INMATEC GaseTechnologie GmbH & Co KG is one of the international market leaders with its systems for the on-site generation of gases. Based in Herrsching, Germany, the company has been developing, producing and supplying nitrogen and oxygen generators all over the world since it was founded in 1993. Inmatec has been part of the BOGE Group since August 2023 and, in addition to its own team, can also rely on BOGE’s international sales and service organisation.
About BOGE
With more than 115 years of experience, BOGE KOMPRESSOREN Otto Boge GmbH & Co. KG is one of the oldest manufacturers of compressors and compressed air systems in Germany. The company is one of the market leaders. Be it screw compressors, piston compressors, scroll compressors or turbo compressors, complete systems or individual machines – BOGE meets the most diverse requirements and the highest demands. With precision and dedication to quality. The internationally active family business employs around 800 people and is managed by Dr. Sebastian Göbel and Dr. Björn Six. BOGE offers its international customers comprehensive service through numerous sales offices and subsidiaries. The company supplies its products and systems to more than 120 countries worldwide.