Chart Industries and Airgas Develop Customized MicroBulk Gas Program.

Business Editors

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 10, 2003

Chart Industries, Inc. (NYSE:CTI) today announced that Airgas, Inc. (NYSE:ARG) the largest industrial gas distributor in the United States, is introducing a customized MicroBulk(TM) program developed with Chart's Distribution and Storage Group. Under the program, Chart will supply custom-designed and built delivery vehicles, both straight trucks and trailers and Perma-Cyl(R) tanks for Airgas' new MicroBulk gas delivery offering.

"We are excited about building the trailer option for Airgas, based on the industry-leading Orca(R) MicroBulk technology that Chart introduced and patented in 1997," said Ron Stark, President of Chart's Distribution and Storage Group. "Having Airgas adopt this technology will be a major step toward making MicroBulk a mainstream option for gas supply. The custom trailer design met Airgas' needs for a flexible supply system with a large payload that will serve its customers tight spaces."

The revolutionary Chart MicroBulk system provides customers with streamline gas storage and distribution. The system, which is protected by four patents, consists of an Orca Delivery System either directly or through a wall box to the Perma-Cyl(R) storage vessel and then piped in throughout the facility. This onsite gas delivery system eliminates cylinder handling which provides a safer and a more productive work environment and also eliminates residual gas loss.

"The units designed by Chart Industries will provide a cost efficient, easy to implement solution for those customers who want the benefits of bulk gas delivery with the flexibility of a smaller delivery system," said Tom Thoman, Vice President-Gases for Airgas.

The third component of the Chart MicroBulk advantage is the Cyl-Tel(R) Telemetry System. It allows remote liquid level monitoring of Perma-Cyls. This low-cost, reliable, easy to use gas level management system eliminates product outages and emergency refills. Airgas offers telemetry service as a standard package for all Perma-Cyl installations, using the integrated Cyl-Tel technology to interface with its telemetry systems. "Integrating telemetry into Airgas' MicroBulk distribution program will have a significant impact on their distribution costs and customer service," said Tim Neeser, Chart's Director of New Product Development, who worked with Airgas on the interface between Cyl-Tel units and Airgas' own telemetry systems.

Chart MicroBulk is designed for use with Nitrogen, Argon and Oxygen applications in life sciences, petrochemicals, food, universities and laboratories to metal fabrication, materials processing and electronics.

Chart Industries, Inc. is a leading global manufacturer of standard and custom-built industrial process equipment primarily for low-temperature and cryogenic applications. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Chart has domestic operations located in 12 states and international operations in Australia, China, the Czech Republic, Germany and the United Kingdom. For more information, please visit www.chart-ind.com.

Airgas, Inc. (NYSE:ARG) is the largest U.S. distributor of industrial, medical and specialty gases, welding, safety and related products. Its integrated network of nearly 800 locations includes branches, retail stores, gas fill plants, specialty gas labs, production facilities and distribution centers. Airgas also distributes its products and services through e-business, catalogue and telesales channels. Its national scale and strong local presence offer a competitive edge to its diversified customer base. For more information please visit www.airgas.com.