The inertness of nitrogen makes it useful in applications in chemical and food industries, such as blanketing, purging, and sparging. It is used to remove oxygen from industrial processes or protect them from it.

Electronics manufacturers use nitrogen as an inerting agent, while laboratories use nitrogen as a carrier, zero, or balancing gas. The metal industry uses nitrogen for welding, soldering, and brazing. Nitrogen is also used to pressurise liquid propellants in aerosol cans. MAP (Modified Atmosphere Packaging) extends the shelf life of food by using nitrogen as a preservation agent. The gas is also used to preserve historical documents.