(Archived) Praxair Expands Production Agreement with GE Aircraft Engines

DANBURY, Conn., January 8, 2003 — Praxair, Inc. (NYSE: PX) has reached an agreement with GE Aircraft Engines to significantly expand an existing production agreement for electron beam physical vapor deposition (EBPVD) coatings for gas turbine airfoils. The new agreement will increase production by nearly 70%, and add a new in-house platinum aluminide coating capability for the company’s subsidiary, Praxair Surface Technologies.

EBPVD coatings are applied in the production and refurbishment of turbine blades and vanes used in commercial and military jet engines, as well as industrial turbines, to enable them to withstand extreme temperatures while minimizing corrosion and wear.

"We are building on a mutually successful relationship that began in 1996," said Alex Pena, vice president — Global Coatings, for Praxair Surface Technologies. "The expanded agreement also includes the operation by Praxair of a new EBPVD coating unit for GE in Singapore. It will provide substantial efficiencies for both companies."

Praxair will also boost production at its existing EBPVD facility in Indianapolis, with the addition of a second EBPVD coating unit. The new platinum aluminide coatings capability will also be based there. "Our new platinum aluminide coatings capability will enable us to offer to both the aero engine and industrial engine markets the full range of airfoil coatings in use today," according to Dr. Martin Holdsworth, global director, Technology, for Praxair Surface Technologies. "The platinum aluminide capability complements what we can do with EBPVD coatings, and provides additional capacity to address market needs."

Praxair Surface Technologies is a leading worldwide supplier of coating services, thermal spray consumables, equipment, and other surface enhancing materials to customers in aircraft, printing, plastics, primary metals, and textiles industries. The company also provides engine and airframe component repair services for both commercial and military aircraft. Total annual sales revenue in 2001 was US$410 million.

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.