(Archived) Praxair and Berry Metal Renew Supply Agreement For EAF CoJet® Gas Injection System

DANBURY, Conn., February 26, 2003 — Praxair, Inc.  (NYSE: PX) today announced the signing of a renewed agreement with Berry Metal Company to manufacture Praxair's patented CoJet® gas injection system for electric arc furnaces (EAFs). Berry Metal will continue to provide spare and replacement parts for the coherent jet system which will now be sold by Praxair Metals Technologies. The details of the agreement were not disclosed. There are currently 60 electric arc furnaces in 12 countries authorized to operate Praxair's CoJet technology.

"This new supply agreement with Berry Metal Company enhances Praxair's direct sales support to its licensees of the CoJet gas injection system for EAFs in North America", said Bruce Ryman, marketing director for Praxair Metals Technologies. "Our customers can now order their CoJet system spares directly from Praxair, receive the same high quality products to which they are accustomed and gain the benefits of Praxair's experience in the application of the CoJet technology."

According to George J. Koeing, Berry Metal Company vice president and director of sales and marketing, "This new agreement builds upon the strong technical and manufacturing relationship we have built with Praxair and will ensure that CoJet system customers continue to receive the highest product quality."

Praxair and Berry Metal began working jointly on the CoJet system in 1996. For over 30 years, Berry Metal Company, located in Harmony, Penn. has been the world's largest independent designer and builder of water-cooled lances and lance tip sub-assemblies for the metals industry. For more information, visit Berry Metal on the Internet at www.berrymetal.com.

Praxair Metals Technologies is the Praxair business unit responsible for directing the development and marketing of technology for licensing, process control software and technical services in energy conservation, product quality and productivity to steel, aluminum and other metals customers around the world. For more information, visit us on the Internet at www.praxair.com/metals.

Praxair is the largest industrial gases company in North and South America, and one of the largest worldwide, with 2002 sales of $5.1 billion. The company produces, sells and distributes atmospheric and process gases, and high-performance surface coatings. Praxair products, services and technologies bring productivity and environmental benefits to a wide variety of industries, including aerospace, chemicals, food and beverage, electronics, energy, healthcare, manufacturing, metals and others. More information on Praxair is available on the Internet at www.praxair.com.