The Cryogenic Manufacturing Landscape
From enabling cold chains used in pharmaceuticals and freeze-drying the food we eat to powering medical equipment like MRI machines, cryogenic manufacturing plays an important role in many aspects of our lives.
The industry is experiencing explosive growth due, in large part, to the surge of interest in liquefied natural gas (LNG) and the rapid development taking place in the healthcare and biotechnology sectors.
The cryogenic equipment market is expected to climb from $11.9 billion in 2023 to $16.6 billion by 2028.[1]
Cryogenic equipment manufacturers and system integrators design and build liquefaction, storage, and transfer systems that must perform reliably at extreme temperatures while meeting stringent cleanliness requirements. Cryogenic systems are highly sensitive to contamination— even trace residue or fine particulate can reduce efficiency and damage equipment.
That’s why flexible components, such as stainless steel cryogenic hoses, have become an integral part of cryogenic storage equipment and transfer systems. From bulk transfer lines and vacuum-insulated systems to components in laboratory and medical equipment, metal hoses help to ensure safe, leak-tight performance where precision and reliability matter most.
Where Cryogenic Manufacturing is Growing
Across the cryogenic equipment market, most of the growth our customers are experiencing is concentrated in:
- High-purity gas production and delivery for semiconductor manufacturing and other advanced industries.
- Hydrogen liquefaction and distribution equipment supporting mobility, industrial, and energy-transition projects.
- Liquid helium systems used in MRI, superconducting magnets, quantum technologies, and advanced research.
- LNG cryogenic equipment for storage, transfer and regasification as LNG demand and infrastructure expand.
Penflex works with cryogenic equipment manufacturers across these segments, supplying flexible stainless components that integrate with rigid piping and vacuum-insulated systems.
Benefits of Metal Hose in Cryogenic Applications
Cryogenic manufacturing depends on the safe, reliable transfer of inert gases like liquid helium, nitrogen, argon, and oxygen. Most materials simply can’t withstand the extreme cold required for cryogenic processes. Hoses made from rubber or composite materials become brittle and crack at extremely low temperatures, increasing the risk of leaks and failure.
Stainless steel behaves very differently. It maintains high ductility at supercooled temperatures, and its mechanical properties, including tensile and yield strengths, actually improve as temperatures drop. This is important when considering liquid helium systems operate at or near helium’s boiling point of –452°F!
Cleanliness is equally critical. Even trace contaminants inside a hose can compromise gas purity, reduce efficiency, or prevent systems from achieving ultra-low temperatures.
By meeting both low-temperature and cleanliness requirements, stainless steel corrugated hoses have become the trusted choice for these demanding applications. That’s why they’re used throughout the industry in cryogenic storage and transfer equipment—from bulk tank transfer lines and pump connections to components in vaporizers, laboratory systems, and portable distribution skids.
How Penflex Supports Cryogenic Equipment Manufacturers
Cryogenic equipment manufacturers and system integrators depend on stainless steel hoses that are exceptionally clean, highly flexible, and completely leak-free. We understand the critical design features that make this possible.
Low temperature properties: While operating temperature limits are influenced by alloy, end fittings, welding, working pressure, type of media being transferred, and the nature of the application, our alloys designed for low-temperature service hold up in extreme cold. Our cryogenic hoses, made from 321 and 316L stainless steel, have minimum service temperatures of -325°F and -452°F, respectively.
Increased flexibility: Penflex’s cryogenic hoses are incredibly flexible, making installation easier, even in the most confined or hard-to-reach spaces. Featuring a thin wall, high corrugation height, and compressed pitch, our hoses are easy to bend and route in tight spaces. When installed within recommended bend radius and movement limits, this geometry supports long service life in demanding cryogenic applications.
Clean ID technology: Penflex’s Clean ID hose is manufactured without any internal tooling, lubricants, or forming fluid, resulting in a final product that contains no traces of grease, moisture, oils, or particulate that’s left behind through standard manufacturing processes. This makes Clean ID well suited for high-purity cryogenic applications where contamination control is critical.
Superior cleanliness: In addition to our Clean ID options, we can accommodate customer-specified cleaning procedures—including oxygen cleaning services—upon request. To maintain cleanliness, all assemblies are individually bagged after preparation.
Quality welds: High-quality welds are essential to hose integrity and long-term performance. At Penflex, we achieve this through a proven process that includes TIG welding and argon purging, which together produce clean, strong welds without compromising corrosion resistance. Our team includes ASME Section IX–certified welders, on-site certified welding instructors, and non-destructive examination (NDE) specialists, ensuring every assembly is tested and leak-tight before it leaves our facility.
Leak testing: Each cryogenic hose undergoes the most sensitive leak testing method available. Using a mass spectrometer machine with helium gas, we can detect leaks as small as 10-12 cubic centimeters per second, a level of sensitivity often required for liquid helium systems, UHV equipment and other advanced cryogenic applications.
Recommended Products for Cryogenic Manufacturing Systems
The following Penflex product families are most commonly specified by cryogenic equipment manufacturers as flexible elements within storage, transfer and vacuum-insulated systems.
Clean ID
Innovations in manufacturing technology have yielded a hose with a truly clean inside!
P4 Series
When larger diameters are needed, Penflex’s general purpose hose delivers ease of handling sought for cryogenic applications.
P3 Series
With unique material requirements and design, P3 is our lightweight and easiest-to-bend hose.
Beyond the Product: The Penflex Partnership
At Penflex, we see every order as an opportunity to continue building our relationship with a current customer–or the beginning of a partnership with a new customer. Our customers count on us not only for a quality product, but also for expertise, responsive service, and resources to help them get the most out of their investment in cryogenic manufacturing assets and projects.
Dedicated Engineering Support
Our sales engineers work closely with you from project prototype through delivery, helping define requirements for new cryogenic equipment products and replacements. A dedicated account manager means you have a single point of contact who understands your business and responds quickly with thoughtful solutions.
Practical Technical Resources
From online calculators and engineering bulletins to in-person and virtual training, we give your team and EPC or MEP partners the tools to make informed decisions and the confidence to install, operate, and maintain hoses for maximum longevity.
Full Quality Documentation
On request, we provide complete record packs—including material test reports, leak and pressure test results, and cleaning procedure documentation—so you can meet compliance requirements and maintain full traceability for LNG, hydrogen, medical and high-purity gas cryogenic projects.
Our commitment to service is reflected in our 99% customer retention rate and an average customer relationship of 20 years. We aim to make every interaction count, combining technical know-how with the kind of service that turns first-time buyers into long-time partners.
Footnotes
[1] Yahoo! Finance. Cryogenic Equipment Industry Assessment 2023-2028: Linde, Air Liquide, Air Products & Chemicals, Chart Industries, and Parker Hannifin Corp Dominate the Landscape. Retrieved November 18, 2025 from https://finance.yahoo.com/news/cryogenic-equipment-industry-assessment-2023-142800184.html