Air Liquide to Build New Plant and Expand Its Production Capacity in the U.S. Rocky Mountain Region.

HOUSTON -- The resurgence of oil and gas drilling and production in the Rocky Mountain region of the U.S. is creating greater demand for industrial gases from oil and gas customers throughout Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. To meet this demand and leverage additional opportunities in the region, Air Liquide Industrial U.S. LP will add to its industrial production capacity by building a new air separation plant in the Salt Lake City, Utah area. The plant will have a capacity of 300 tons per day of liquid products. It is scheduled to start up in late 2007.

Etienne Lepoutre, president, Air Liquide Industrial U.S. LP says: "Air Liquide has a long history of providing industrial gases to a variety of industries including the booming oil and gas industry in the Rocky Mountain region, starting in the 1960s. The added production from this new facility will allow us to provide the products our diverse customers need to fuel the growth of their businesses."

The new plant will also provide additional nitrogen and oxygen for the dedicated solutions that are offered by Air Liquide to a broad range of markets such as food, pharmaceuticals, automotive, metal fabrication, materials, technology and research.

Jeff Edwards, president and chief executive officer, Economic Development Corporation of Utah says: "Air Liquide has had a presence in the Provo - Salt Lake City area for the last 40 years and is a good corporate citizen. Air Liquide brings to the area the basic building blocks required for economic growth."

Air Liquide has a nationwide presence in the U.S. with 4,000 employees serving a growing clientele in its Industrial Clients, Large Industries, Electronics and Healthcare activities. Air Liquide Industrial U.S. LP is the subsidiary of American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc. responsible for providing bulk gases and related services to industrial customers in the U.S. American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc. is the subsidiary of Air Liquide Group, responsible for its North American operations.

Present in more than 70 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 consistent 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 nearly 36,000 employees. The Group has successfully developed a long-term relationship with its shareholders built on trust 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 2005 totalled 10,435 million euros, with sales outside France accounting for almost 80%. Air Liquide is listed on the Paris stock exchange and is a component of the CAC 40 and Eurostoxx 50 indices (ISIN code FR 0000120073).