(Archived) Praxair to Supply the Largest Copper Smelting JV in China

SHANGHAI, China, June 1, 2006 — Praxair China has been awarded a 15-year contract from Jinlong Copper Co., Ltd. (Jinlong) to supply pipeline oxygen at their plant in Tongling, Anhui Province.

Praxair China will build, own and operate three non-cryogenic oxygen systems with a total capacity of 14,100 cubic meters per hour (about 500 tons per day) to meet the requirements of Jinlong's flash furnace-smelting process. The construction work is under way. The first system will be ready to supply oxygen to Jinlong in January 2007; the second one will begin operation in July of the same year; and the third will start up in August 2008.

Commenting on the agreement, the senior management of Jinlong Copper expressed that Jinlong is committed to the continuous improvement of the smelting process. For this, they need a partner who can provide the technical expertise in their gas supply system to ensure quality. Jinlong is confident that Praxair will provide high quality oxygen and reliable supply to meet its expectations.

"We are glad to have an opportunity to work with the largest copper smelting joint venture in China. Praxair's rich experience and know-how in the metal fabrication industry allows us to provide a modern system to meet the expectations of the copper smelting process of Jinlong," commented Praxair China President David Chow.

Background

About Praxair China
Praxair China, a subsidiary of Praxair, Inc., is the leading global industrial gases supplier in China, serving a diverse group of industries through the production, sale, distribution and value-added application of industrial gases. With over 1000 employees across the country, Praxair China, headquartered in Shanghai, operates 14 wholly owned companies and 11 joint ventures. More information on Praxair China is available on the Internet at www.praxair.com.cn.

About Praxair
With 27,000 employees and operations in 40 countries, Praxair, Inc. (NYSE: PX) is a global, Fortune 500 company. Praxair is the largest industrial gases company in North and South America, and one of the largest worldwide, with 2005 sales of $7.7 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 metals, aerospace, chemicals, food and beverage, electronics, energy, healthcare, manufacturing etc. More information on Praxair is available on the Internet at www.praxair.com.

Jinlong Copper Co., Ltd.
Jinlong Copper Co., Ltd., owned by Tongling Non-ferrous Metals (Group) Corporation, Sumitomo Metal & Mining Co, Ltd, Sumitomo Corporation and PingGuo Aluminum Company, is the largest copper smelting joint venture in China. As the number two copper cathode manufacturer in China, Jinlong is the first copper enterprise in China to be listed in the Stock Exchange, with 2005 sales of RMB6.4 billion. More information on Jinlong Copper is available on the Internet at www.jinlongcopper.com.