(Archived) Praxair Signs Long-Term Agreement with Solvay Chemicals, Inc.

DANBURY, Conn., February 9, 2004 — Praxair Inc. (NYSE:PX) has signed a long-term hydrogen pipeline supply contract with Solvay Chemicals, Inc. The hydrogen will be used as feedstock for Solvay Chemicals' hydrogen peroxide production facility in Deer Park, Texas.

"Solvay Chemicals is one of the leading producers of hydrogen peroxide in the U.S. and we look forward to our long-term business relationship with them," said Dan Yankowski, vice president, South Region, for Praxair’s North American Industrial Gases organization.

In 2001, Praxair announced plans to add approximately 300 million cubic feet per day (354,000 cubic meters per hour) of hydrogen capacity to its 300-mile Gulf Coast pipeline system, the largest in the world. With these expansions, Praxair's customers from Houston, Texas, to Lake Charles, Louisiana, will have access to over 600 million cubic feet per day of hydrogen. The hydrogen will be supplied from a number of new and existing production facilities consisting of steam-methane reformers and hydrogen-recovery systems.

Praxair supplies a complete portfolio of large-volume industrial gases, cylinder gases and specialized services to refinery and chemical customers and is a leading supplier of hydrogen to customers worldwide. It operates 22 steam-methane reformers and seven major hydrogen pipeline systems that deliver more than 500 million cubic feet per day (590,00 cubic meters per hour) of hydrogen.

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.