(Archived) Praxair Surface Technologies Signs Long-Term Agreement with Messier-Bugatti-Dowty for Airframe Coatings in Asia

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, November 20, 2012 –– Praxair Surface Technologies, Inc. a wholly-owned subsidiary of Praxair, Inc. (NYSE: PX), has entered into a 10-year agreement with Messier-Bugatti-Dowty (Safran Group) for thermal spray coating services to replace chrome plating on major airframe component programs.

Praxair will commission an airframe production line in its Changzhou, China facility for thermal spray coating and finishing services as well as a coating production cell in Changwon, South Korea for applying automated thermal spray coatings and metallic slurries. Production is expected to commence in 2013.

“Praxair’s participation in this project is essential for Messier-Bugatti-Dowty to produce high-quality, environmentally-responsible airframe components with complex geometry for leading aircraft major programs,” said Henri Koffel, vice president of Purchasing for Messier-Bugatti-Dowty. “Once again, Praxair has proven itself as a reliable, technologically advanced supplier who has invested in our combined success.”

“Praxair is pleased to expand production in Asia for Messier-Bugatti-Dowty and the Safran Group,” said Mark Murphy, president of Praxair Surface Technologies. “Through our advanced coating technologies, broad range of capabilities in Asia, and global production excellence, we’re uniquely positioned to support Messier-Bugatti-Dowty’s production of more environmentally-friendly aircraft components.”

Praxair provides airframe coating services to Messier-Bugatti-Dowty through its production facilities in Canada, France, and the United Kingdom.  The company’s China and South Korea coating centers are part of a global network of advanced coatings facilities that utilize leading technologies and apply best-in-class safety and quality principles.

About Praxair Surface Technologies

Praxair Surface Technologies offers a comprehensive slate of high-performance coatings and technologies to aviation, industrial gas turbine, oil & gas, and other markets. By continuously advancing coatings technologies, Praxair Surface Technologies helps customers improve environmental performance, decrease energy consumption, extend component life, improve productivity, minimize downtime, reduce operating costs, and produce higher quality products.

Praxair, Inc. is the largest industrial gases company in North and South America, and one of the largest worldwide, with 2011 sales of $11 billion.  The company produces, sells and distributes atmospheric, process and specialty gases, and high-performance surface coatings.  Praxair products, services and technologies are making our planet more productive by bringing efficiency 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.