Air Liquide America to Provide On-Site Nitrogen for International-Matex.

Business Editors

HOUSTON & BAYONNE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 2, 2004

Air Liquide America and International-Matex Tank Terminals (IMTT), Inc., today announced an agreement in which Air Liquide America will supply high-purity nitrogen to the IMTT facility in Bayonne, N.J. The high-purity nitrogen will be supplied using Air Liquide's Advanced Product Supply Approach (APSA) on-site technology.

APSA is a state-of-the-art technology developed by Air Liquide, S.A., (www.airliquide.com) to produce cryogenically pure nitrogen gas on-site at a customer's facility. This approach can provide a cost savings of more than 30 percent over a bulk liquid nitrogen supply and competing on-site gas producing technologies. APSA technology also offers an environmentally safe solution, with the on-site production capabilities eliminating the need for over-the-road delivery of bulk nitrogen and the resulting greenhouse gases.

"We are very pleased to have been awarded this agreement by IMTT and look forward providing our industry leading APSA technology to supply the nitrogen needs at their Bayonne facilities," said Bruce Best, Director, On-site Systems, Air Liquide America. "The APSA plant is a very reliable, energy-efficient and cost-effective solution that will provide substantial value to IMTT now, and as its business grows."

Said Jim Papernik, vice president of chemical sales and marketing for IMTT: "IMTT-Bayonne looks forward to a long-term business relationship with Air Liquide America, commencing the third quarter of 2004. IMTT's decision to award our nitrogen supply business to Air Liquide America was based on its high quality of gas, supply guarantees and the unsurpassed technology and low maintenance operation the APSA production unit will provide for many years. In addition, with the uncertainty of future electricity costs, IMTT is convinced that the APSA unit is the best existing means of producing nitrogen at the lowest cost."

About Air Liquide

Present in 65 countries, Air Liquide is the world leader in industrial and medical gases and related services. The Group offers innovative solutions based on constantly enhanced technologies. These solutions, which are in line with Air Liquide's commitment to sustainable development, help to protect life and enable our customers to manufacture many indispensable everyday products. Founded in 1902, Air Liquide has more than 30,000 employees. The Group has successfully developed a long-term relationship with its shareholders built on confidence and transparency and guided by the principles of corporate governance. Since the publication of its first consolidated financial statements in 1971, Air Liquide has posted strong and steady earnings growth. Sales in 2003 totaled 8,394 million euros, of which sales outside France accounted almost 80%. Air Liquide is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange and is a component of the CAC 40 and EuroStoxx 50 indexes (ISIN code FR 000012007).

About International-Matex Tank Terminals

Headquartered in New Orleans, La., International-Matex Tank Terminals is a world-class provider of bulk liquid handling services; it is a privately owned company characterized by the capability for quick response from direct owner involvement in management; dynamic growth in size and sophistication over five decades of operations; stable well-trained workforce; community involvement; and strategic locations throughout North America. Among International-Matex Tank Terminals' complementary businesses are the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve; the St. Rose Wholesale Nursery; Warehousing Support Services; and Environmental Services. IMTT's terminals serve North America's dynamic distribution centers at both ends of the Mississippi Valley, at both ends of the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence River system, in New York and Virginia on the Atlantic Coast, and on the Pacific Coast.