Industrial gas major Air Liquide has invested in French quantum computing startup Quobly through its venture capital arm ALIAD.

The investment forms part of Quobly’s €115m ($134m) Series A funding round and will support the industrialisation of the company’s silicon-based quantum processor technology.

Founded in Grenoble in 2022, Quobly is developing quantum processors using semiconductor manufacturing techniques already established within the electronics industry. 

Air Liquide said it will support the company in scaling production and aims to help bring its first commercial product to market by the end of 2026.

Armelle Levieux, member of Air Liquide’s Executive Committee responsible for Innovation and Technology activities, described quantum computing as “the next major technological frontier”.

“Quobly is pioneering the path toward scalable quantum processors, and this is exactly the kind of game-changing innovation Air Liquide looks for when supporting tech start-ups with a strong potential,” she said.

The move comes as Air Liquide continues to expand its presence across advanced electronics and semiconductor supply chains. 

Earlier this week, the company announced plans to invest nearly €200m ($233m) in a nitrogen production unit in South Korea to supply high-purity gases and compressed air to memory chipmaker SK hynix’s advanced semiconductor packaging facility.

While quantum computing remains at an early stage of commercial development, the sector relies on many of the same specialist capabilities that underpin semiconductor manufacturing. 

Quantum processors require ultra-high-purity process gases during fabrication, alongside advanced materials and contamination-controlled production environments.

Many quantum computing architectures also depend on cryogenic cooling systems operating at temperatures close to absolute zero to maintain qubit stability and reduce computational errors. 

Air Liquide said it already plays a role in the quantum computing ecosystem through the provision of ultra-pure materials, high-purity gases and extreme cooling technologies required for quantum processor manufacturing and operation.

Beyond its financial investment, the company will provide Quobly with access to its expertise in advanced materials and specialty gases used in silicon chip production.