(Archived) Praxair Increases Prices on Cylinder Gases in the U.S. and Canada

DANBURY, Conn., November 26, 2003 — Praxair, Inc.'s (NYSE:PX) subsidiaries Praxair Distribution, Inc., in the U.S., and Praxair Canada Inc., in Canada, announced today that they will increase prices for cylinder oxygen, acetylene, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and other gas products between 6 percent and 8 percent. Helium prices will be increased between 8 percent and 10 percent. In addition, cylinder and equipment rental fees will be increased 5 percent. These prices become effective on December 1, 2003, or as supply agreements permit.

Pricing has been revised due to rising costs of raw material, labor, health care, liability insurance premiums, and ongoing increases in fuel and transportation costs.

Praxair Distribution, Inc. and Praxair Canada Inc., and its subsidiaries and distributors deliver a large array of industrial and specialty gases, equipment, supplies, and services to thousands of customers in the United States and Canada. With hundreds of locations throughout North America, Praxair Distribution provides differentiated product and service offerings that help customers achieve their objectives faster, better and at lower total cost.  

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.