(Archived) Praxair China Expands Supply Agreement with Meishan Iron & Steel

Shanghai, China, April 1, 2008 — Praxair (China) Investment Co., Ltd. has signed a long-term supply agreement with Nanjing-based Meishan Iron & Steel Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the Baosteel Group. Under this contract, Praxair China will build two new air separation plants scheduled to come on line in the fourth quarter of 2009 and third quarter of 2010.

The new plants will supply oxygen, nitrogen and argon to meet growing demand as Meishan Iron & Steel increases its production capacity. The two air separation plants will have a total capacity about 60,000 cubic meters of oxygen per hour. The two plants will be added to three other Praxair air separation units currently being operated by the Praxair Shanghai Meishan joint venture.

Meishan Iron & Steel is growing rapidly with its parent company, consistent with Baosteel’s goal of becoming one of the top steel makers worldwide. Praxair China has been supplying gases to Baosteel and Meishan Iron & Steel for over a decade.

“We are honored to play a continuing role in supporting the growth and success of this world-class steel enterprise in China,” said David Chow, president of Praxair China.

About Praxair China
Praxair (China) Investment Co., Ltd is a leading industrial gas provider in China. It is headquartered in Shanghai and has 15 wholly owned companies and 10 joint ventures in China. More information on Praxair China is available on the Internet at www.praxair.cn.

About Praxair
Praxair, Inc. (NYSE: PX) is the largest industrial gases company in North and South America, and one of the largest worldwide, with 2007 sales of $9.4 billion. The company produces, sells and distributes atmospheric, process and specialty 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.