Largest producer of neon gas

The largest producer of neon gas is Ukraine, accounting for 50-70% of global production, based on the latest figures from 2022. Neighbouring Russia generated the remainder.

Neon is present in air (though only forming a tiny 0.0018%), so is technically available worldwide, albeit to a lesser extent at higher altitudes where air is thinner. However, Ukraine and Russia are the primary countries actively producing neon gas, mainly because it is a by-product of collecting oxygen for their steel manufacturing. The two largest companies in Ukraine collecting neon gas are Ingas and Cryoin. Historically, a wider industry dedicated to harvesting different gases from the air emerged in the early 20th century, particularly in countries such as Germany and France. This industry continues but tends to focus on more commercial and plentiful gases that make up air such as nitrogen (78%; used for fertilizer and explosives) and oxygen (21%; used for welding, cutting and steelmaking etc).

While neon may be most associated with colourful neon signs, the majority of neon gas is not used in signage but rather for lasers that are used to make microchips.

Owing the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, China has recently started to produce neon gas too to try and plug the shortfall.