50 Years of ASCO CARBONDIOXIDE LTD – From CO₂ Pioneer to Global Technology Leader

From the Early Days to International Expansion

ASCO’s history began in Switzerland in 1975, when founder Thomas M. Trachsel recognized the potential of carbon dioxide early on—not merely as a commercial gas, but as a valuable resource. He began supplying CO₂ and related equipment to local beverage manufacturers. Through a combination of determined entrepreneurship and excellent customer service, ASCO has gradually expanded its expertise and product range in the field of CO₂ applications over the years. In the 1980s, ASCO developed its first in-house dry ice pelletizer, the C500, laying the foundation for its core business today.

In 1987, the acquisition of New Zealand-based Carbonic Industries Ltd, later ASCO New Zealand, marked the company’s entry into the international market. This established ASCO as one of the world’s leading suppliers of CO₂ recovery systems and CO₂ processing technologies. Just a few years later—in 1993—ASCO began series production of the “ASCOJET 2001 RS” dry ice blasting machine, thereby expanding its product range to include another forward-looking segment.

Growth through Partnerships and Innovations

With the acquisition of the French company Diffusion Hydraulique S.A.R.L. in 2005, later known as ASCO France, ASCO strengthened its expertise in dry ice production. Two years later came the next major milestone: in 2007, ASCO joined the globally active Messer Group and assumed the role of the CO₂ competence center within the family-owned group.

In 2011, Remco AG, a Swiss specialist in dry ice blasting technology, was integrated into the ASCO Group. This made dry ice blasting one of the company’s core business areas. Three years later—in 2014—ASCO and BUSE Gastek combined their expertise in CO₂ processing and dry ice technology. The combined expertise now draws on over 130 years of industry experience.

Digitalization and Globalization

With the founding of the North American subsidiary ASCO Carbon Dioxide Inc. in Jacksonville, Florida, in 2016, ASCO continued its global expansion. At the same time, the digitalization of products was consistently driven forward: Since 2020, ASCO pelletizers have been delivering production and machine data digitally in real time. Remote support and monitoring have been standard ever since. In 2024, the headquarters finally moved from Romanshorn to Wittenbach—a step that underscores the company’s modernization and further development.

50 Years of Passion for CO₂

Today, ASCO stands for innovative, sustainable, and customer-specific CO₂ solutions—from recovery and processing to utilization. Whether dry ice production, dry ice blasting, or CO₂ dosing technology: The company offers technologies worldwide that harness CO₂ as a valuable circular raw material.

“We look back with pride on 50 years full of innovations, challenges, and successes. Our strength lies in the combination of technical expertise, close collaboration with our customers, and the dedication of our team,” says Ralph Spring, CEO of ASCO. “We are grateful for the trust our customers have placed in us over the decades and look forward to shaping the next 50 years together.”

An Exciting Future

Well-equipped for the future, ASCO continues on its growth trajectory. The focus is on further developing dry ice production technologies with the EVO series, expanding CO₂ recovery and dosing systems, and digitally networking all plants. This is intended to further increase efficiency, sustainability, and customer benefits. “The journey is far from over, and rarely has it been as exciting as it is today,” adds Ralph Spring. With this vision, ASCO continues to write its success story—for the next 50 years and beyond.

About ASCO CARBONDIOXIDE LTD

ASCO CARBONDIOXIDE LTD, headquartered in Wittenbach (Switzerland), is a leading global provider of CO₂ and dry ice technologies. As part of the Messer Group, ASCO develops and manufactures systems for CO₂ recovery, dry ice production, and dry ice blasting for a wide range of industries. Since 1975, the company has stood for innovation, quality, and the sustainable use of CO₂.