(Archived) Praxair Awarded Nitrogen Supply from Samsung for 300MM Semiconductor Wafer Fab in Korea

DANBURY, Conn., January 20, 2004 — Praxair, Inc. (NYSE: PX), announced today that it has reached an agreement to supply ultra-high-purity nitrogen to Samsung Electronics' new manufacturing facility in Hwasung, Korea. The facility, known as Feb 13, will produce 300mm semiconductor wafers for DRAM and flash memory.

Praxair will construct an Ultra-High Purity (UHP) air separation plant at its facilities in Gihueng, slated for completion this year. Praxair is the largest nitrogen supplier to Samsung's semiconductor wafer manufacturing complexes in Giheung and Hwasung. With this addition, Praxair's Gihueng complex will have three air separation plants.

"Praxair's large UHP air separator plants have proven quality, reliability and operational efficiencies and continue to meet the most stringent requirements of the semiconductor industry", said Mark Gruninger, vice president, Praxair Electronics. "We are committed to supporting Samsung's expanded production capabilities in the future."

About Samsung Electronics
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductors, telecommunications, and digital convergence technology. Samsung Electronics is the world's leading manufacturer of advanced semiconductors, TFT-LCDs, CDMA mobile phones, monitors and VCRs. The company consists of four main business units: Device Solution Network, Digital Media Network, Telecommunication Network and Digital Appliance Network Businesses. More information on Samsung Electronics is available on the Internet at: www.samsung.com.

About Praxair Electronics
Praxair Electronics provides the global semiconductor industry with process consumables, including a full line of gases and materials; sputtering targets and CMP slurries; on-site services; chamber components including electrostatic chucks; and spare parts logistics services. In 2002, Praxair's sales to the global electronics industry were $420 million. More information on Praxair Electronics is available on the Internet at: www.praxair.com/electronics.

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.