(Archived) Praxair Chemax Secures Bulk Specialty Gas Contract with Leading LED Manufacturer in Taiwan

Danbury, CT, June 30, 2004 — Praxair Chemax Semiconductor Materials Co. Ltd., a joint venture between Praxair, Inc. (NYSE:PX), and Chemax International Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Petrochemical Development Corp., has been awarded a contract by Taiwan light emitting diode (LED) manufacturer Epistar Corporation to supply bulk specialty gas delivery systems (BSGS) of ultrahigh-purity ammonia (NH3) for its next expansion.

This is the third consecutive contract awarded to Praxair by Epistar over the past five years, and will be fulfilled by Praxair Electronics, a division of Praxair, Inc., based in Orangeburg, NY. Epistar’s Fab 3 operations currently use BSGS for the supply of NH3.

“Praxair BSGS of ultrahigh-purity ammonia is a reliable solution for Epistar’s high volume and flow requirements. We are encouraged by its consistent performance and will employ the third contracted Praxair BSGS as the gas delivery platform for our next expansion phase,” states B.J. Lee, president of Epitstar.

Gordon Chen, president of Praxair Chemax, added, “Praxair continues to maintain a leading position for gas delivery systems in the Taiwan LED market. The ongoing relationship with Epistar is an example of Praxair’s proven track record in providing world-class service and support to our customers.”

Praxair Electronics’ presence in Hsinchu, Taiwan, provides capabilities which include consultation for the analysis of total fab needs, as well as expertise to manage services and local access to the latest products and technology. The Taiwan facility also provides a full line of sputtering targets, semiconductor process gases, systems and services including: silicon precursors, dopants, etchants, reactants, mixtures and inerts, and total gas management and delivery systems.

About Epistar Corporation
Epistar Corporation, located in the Hsinchu Science-Based Park, Taiwan, focuses on developing, manufacturing and marketing high brightness LED products for applications such as traffic lights and lightings for cellular phones, automobiles and electronic equipment. Listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange, Epistar is one of the largest LED producers in Taiwan. In 2001, the company was awarded an “Outstanding R&D Enterprise Award” by the Taiwan Government. In the same year, the company’s high brightness InGaN green LED was recognized as the “Outstanding Photonics Product.” More information on Epistar is available on the Internet at  www.epistar.com.tw.

About Praxair Chemax Semiconductor Materials
Praxair Chemax Semiconductor Materials Co. Ltd. (Praxair Chemax) is a joint venture between Praxair, Inc. and Chemax International Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Petrochemical Development Corp. Headquartered in Jubei, Taiwan, with a warehouse in Toufen, Praxair Chemax offers a complete gas, chemical, and delivery system solution to semiconductor, TFT-LCD and LED manufacturers. Located near Hsinchu Science-Based Park, it provides customers with high-purity gases and safe, reliable specialty gases and gas delivery systems. Praxair Chemax is continuing to expand its product and services portfolio, which includes a 6.5 grade ammonia, a high-flow bulk ammonia system, sputtering targets and spare parts and consumables management. The offering provides the semiconductor industry an integrated source for process gases, materials supply and related equipment. www.praxair.com/semiconductor.

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.