(Archived) Praxair Introduces New Fuel Cell Grade Hydrogen

DANBURY, Conn., March 13, 2003 — Praxair, Inc. (NYSE:PX) announced today the launch of a new high purity hydrogen (H2) grade for fuel cell applications — the only one in the industry. The introduction of this new product offering is in direct response to fuel cell manufacturers' requests for higher purity hydrogen. A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that combines hydrogen (fuel) and oxygen (from the air) to produce electricity, pure water and heat.

"The presence of contaminants like ammonia (NH₃), carbon monoxide (CO) and sulfur compounds can harm the catalyst-coated membranes inside the fuel cell, reducing its efficiency," said Janet Coffman, vice president of marketing and business development, Praxair Distribution, Inc. "Praxair's new fuel cell grade hydrogen, available in high-pressure cylinders, contains extremely low levels of these impurities, helping maintain the performance and reliability of these devices."

Due to its strict specification, the new hydrogen fuel cell grade cylinder is filled only at specific Praxair specialty gases production facilities. From product source and cylinder preparation to cylinder filling and analytical testing, all steps of the production process are key to achieving and maintaining reliable and consistent purity levels.

For the past decades, Praxair has been working with materials providers, device suppliers, end-use customers and government on the development of new, clean fuel technologies, including fuel cells for electricity and mobile power generation. In 2000, Praxair was chosen by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to lead one of eight teams that will pioneer a new generation of ultra-clean, transportation fuels and associated emission controls to meet stringent tailpipe emission standards later this decade. Visit www.praxair.com/fuelcell for more information.

Praxair Distribution, Inc. and its subsidiaries and distributors deliver a large array of industrial and specialty gases, equipment and supplies, technical expertise, and services to thousands of customers in the United States and Canada. With hundreds of locations throughout North America, Praxair 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.