(Archived) Praxair and Powertech Enter Into a Strategic Alliance to Supply Hydrogen and Fueling Equipment for Fuel-Cell Powered Forklifts

DANBURY, Conn., April 27, 2010 — Praxair, Inc. (NYSE: PX) and Praxair Canada have signed a strategic alliance with Powertech Labs, Inc. to jointly market and sell Praxair’s hydrogen and Powertech’s hydrogen fueling equipment to materials handling customers, specifically to distribution centers for hydrogen fuel-cell powered forklifts.

The alliance between Praxair and Powertech combines North America’s largest liquid hydrogen producer with a leader in innovative hydrogen fueling systems to provide reliable, cost-effective hydrogen fueling to fill a growing need. In 2002, Powertech designed and built the world’s first 700-bar fast-fill hydrogen fueling station, and has since designed, built and installed a host of increasingly innovative and technically advanced mobile and permanent high-pressure vehicle fueling systems.

“Praxair and Powertech bring many years of combined experience and expertise in both hydrogen supply and fueling equipment to successfully meet the growing needs of these leading-edge customers,” said Scott Sanderude, vice president, Marketing & Business Development, for Praxair’s North American Industrial Gases business unit.

“Powertech is a leader in providing clean energy consulting, testing and systems solutions,” said Eamonn Percy, PowerTech president. “Distribution centers with large materials handling fleets are realizing the benefits of hydrogen fuel-cell powered forklifts. This alliance will help increase their productivity while potentially decreasing costs associated with operating traditional battery-powered forklifts.”

About Powertech Labs, Inc.
Powertech Labs, based in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, specializes in clean energy consulting, testing, and power solutions, and has been serving electrical, oil and gas companies, automotive and electrical equipment manufacturers since 1989 by meeting the complex and changing needs of customers around the world. As the world’s premier hydrogen fueling equipment testing facility, Powertech has played a key role in the development of hydrogen delivery infrastructure in North America. Powertech is a subsidiary of BC Hydro, the third largest electric utility in Canada.

About Praxair Canada, Inc.
Praxair Canada, part of Praxair’s North American operations, supplies atmospheric, process and specialty gases and is a recognized leader in the commercialization of new technologies that bring productivity and environmental benefits to a diverse group of industries.

About Praxair, Inc.
Praxair is the largest industrial gases company in North and South America, and one of the largest worldwide, with 2009 sales of $9 billion. The company produces, sells and distributes atmospheric, process and specialty gases, and high-performance surface coatings. Praxair is a recognized leader in the commercialization of new technologies that bring productivity and environmental benefits to a diverse group of industries, including aerospace, chemicals, electronics, energy, food and beverage, healthcare, manufacturing, metals and others. More information on Praxair is available on the Internet at www.praxair.com.