(Archived) Praxair Helium Plants Achieve ISO 9001-2000 Certification

DANBURY, Conn., August 19, 2003 — Praxair, Inc. (NYSE: PX) today announced that it has received certification of compliance to ISO 9001-2000 for its helium production facilities in Bushton, Kansas and Ulysses, Kansas. Praxair is compliant with the updated ISO 9000 standard and certified by the accredited Quality Systems Registrars, Inc. (QSR). QSR audited the effectiveness of Praxair’s quality management system against the revised critical manufacturing requirements including documentation, management responsibility, resource management, product realization, measurement analysis and improvement. The conclusion of the audit was the recommendation for registration to ISO 9001-2000.

"This important certification for our Kansas facilities demonstrates Praxair’s commitment to serving a global helium customer base while operating in compliance with the rigorous standards set forth under ISO 9001-2000," commented Joe Cappello, vice president, helium and rare gases and Praxair Service, Inc. "I am very proud of our teams at both Bushton and Ulysses. They are committed to ensuring that the helium supplied to our customers is manufactured according to the highest recognized quality standards."

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.