(Archived) Praxair Canada Starts Up Air Separation Plant at Essar Steel Algoma

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, Canada, June 14, 2011 — Praxair Canada Inc., a subsidiary of Praxair, Inc. (NYSE: PX), has completed the start-up of a cryogenic air separation plant to supply 900 tons per day of gaseous oxygen to Essar Steel Algoma Inc.’s steel mill located in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. The new plant is fully integrated with Praxair’s existing air separation facilities at Essar in Sault St. Marie, increasing the total installed capacity at the site to 2,700 tons per day. In addition, this expansion adds merchant liquid capacity to support growing local atmospheric gases and U.S. argon markets.

“Our new facility provides Essar with the product they need to expand, along with a high degree of production flexibility and reliability,” said Rob Hossack, Praxair Canada’s managing director. “Essar and Praxair have had a long-term relationship in Sault Ste Marie, and this project positions us to continue to grow together in the future,” he added.

Essar Steel Algoma’s Chief Commercial Officer Kalyan Ghosh commented, “Praxair and Essar Steel Algoma have had a strong relationship for over 50 years. This capacity enhancement by Praxair is key to Essar Algoma’s growth plans in the coming years.”

A member of the Essar Group, Essar Steel Algoma Inc. is a fully integrated steel producer, generating its revenues primarily from the manufacture and sale of hot and cold rolled steel products including sheet and plate.

Praxair is the largest industrial gases company in North and South America, and one of the largest worldwide, with 2010 sales of $10 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.