Airgas Completes Divestiture of Foreign Investments.

RADNOR, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 4, 1999--

Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG) announced today the completion of the sale of its investments in Poland and Thailand to Linde AG. The transaction will result in after-tax proceeds of approximately $38 million and an after-tax gain of approximately $7 million.

Airgas, Inc. is the largest distributor of industrial, medical and specialty gases and related equipment and the third largest distributor of safety supplies in the United States. Airgas' integrated distributor network consists of approximately 700 locations including branches, packaged gas fill plants, distribution centers and inbound and outbound telemarketing operations.

Airgas can be visited on the Internet at www.airgas.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain statements that are forward-looking, as that term is defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 or by the Securities and Exchange Commission in its rules, regulations and releases. Airgas intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. All forward-looking statements are based on current expectations regarding important risk factors, and the making of such statements should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person that the results expressed therein will be achieved. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement include approximate after-tax proceeds, approximate after-tax gains and other factors described in the Company's reports, including Form 10-K dated March 31, 1999, filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.