(Archived) Praxair Announces Price Increases For Gases In U.S. and Canada

DANBURY, CT., January 30, 2004 — Praxair, Inc. (NYSE: PX) is notifying merchant customers in the U.S. and Canada of the following price increases through the elimination of discounts, consistent with the terms and conditions of customer contracts:

• 10% increase for nitrogen and oxygen
• 12% increase for argon and hydrogen
• 5% increase for carbon dioxide (U.S.)
• 10% increase for carbon dioxide (Canada)

Helium customers recently received notice of price increases.

Praxair is the largest industrial gases company in North and South America, and one of the largest worldwide, with 2003 sales of $5.6 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.