In nature, most of Nitrogen can be found as a diatomic molecule, which is often represented as N₂. With 78 % it is the main component of air. Apart from nitrogen air consists of 20.8 % oxygen and a few other noble gases (Argon, Helium, Neon and Xenon). Nitrogen gas is an essential element of life on earth and an important building block of various types of organic molecules e.g. proteins and DNA.

Air contains a concentration of approximately 0.93 % argon gas. Based on this, it is economical and common to produce pure argon gas with air separation plants on an industrial scale. Apart from oxygen and nitrogen, air separation units can produce significant amounts of argon gas.