(Archived) Praxair Expands its Relationship with Samsung to Supply Bulk Gases in Newest Korean Flat Panel Display Factory

DANBURY, Conn., January 21, 2004 — Praxair, Inc. (NYSE: PX), has been selected to supply helium and hydrogen by pipeline to Samsung Electronics' newest Thin Film Transistor – Liquid Crystal Display (TFT-LCD) production complex at Tangjeong, in ChungCheongNam-Do, Korea. Praxair was also selected to supply future requirements of nitrogen, oxygen, and argon to the Samsung site.

Praxair has acquired an 18,000-square-meter site (4.5 acres), adjacent to the Samsung complex, for the helium and hydrogen supply systems. This site will also accommodate two future air separation plants similar to facilities Praxair currently operates at Samsung's semiconductor facility in Gihueng, Korea and in Hwasung, Korea.

Samsung's newest complex will be the world's first 7th generation TFT-LCD complex, with mass production beginning in 2005. The complex will be comprised of four production lines. Praxair will supply helium and hydrogen at production line No. 7 beginning in the 3rd quarter of 2004 and nitrogen and argon at production line No. 8 projected to begin in 2006. The Samsung flat-panel facility will require about 10 times more helium and similar quantities of hydrogen, when compared to process gas consumption of a semiconductor fab.

"Praxair will use its proven project management and construction expertise in Asia to build and operate these pipeline supply systems. We diligently work to exceed Samsung's expectations by providing reliability, responsiveness, safety, quality and operational efficiencies," said K.H. Lee, president of Praxair Korea. "Safe handling of these large volumes of process gases is paramount. Praxair has demonstrated its ability to handle such gases with successful operations in Asia," Lee added.

"As a key supplier of bulk gases to Samsung's new TFT-LCD manufacturing site, we are focused on bringing value to our customer through optimized gas usage and lowering the total cost of ownership," said Mark Gruninger, vice president of Praxair Electronics. Our 12-year relationship with Samsung has allowed us to prove our world-class supply capability of onsite, bulk and process gases."

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.