LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., May 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Air Products (NYSE: APD) announced today that it has been selected to supply bulk specialty gases to Samsung Austin Semiconductor's dynamic random access memory (DRAM) manufacturing facility in Austin, Texas. Under the terms of this agreement, Air Products will supply bulk quantities of high-purity nitrogen trifluoride, silane, nitrous oxide and hexafluoroethane to the recently expanded Austin operation. These gases are integral to the manufacture of chips, and are used in a variety of stages within the production process.

As part of Samsung's current $500 million expansion of the company's only manufacturing site in the United States, Air Products also was selected to supply the specialty gas and chemical equipment required to store and distribute various ultra-high purity materials throughout the facility.

"As the premier materials and service supplier to the global electronics industry, we are pleased to support the continued growth and success of Samsung, one of Air Products' most valued electronics customers worldwide," said Bruce Hargus, vice president, Electronics Sales and Operations. "Air Products is committed to serving the critical electronics industry segment, and we will continue to invest in the technology and infrastructure to serve our customers' needs today and well into the future."

Air Products has served as the on-site specialty materials solutions provider at Samsung's Austin facility since its 1997 opening, where a dedicated team of Air Products MEGASYS(R) technicians manage all aspects of Samsung's materials and equipment requirements around the clock. Air Products also operates an on-site nitrogen generation plant and supplies Samsung Austin Semiconductor with all of its liquid bulk gas requirements, including liquid oxygen, liquid argon, liquid hydrogen and gaseous helium.

Worldwide, Air Products' Electronics business unit generates over $1.2 billion in revenue, and is the leading materials supplier to the global electronics industry. Its portfolio consists of integrated service offerings and products, including bulk gases and chemicals, specialty gases and materials, and enabling equipment.

***NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations.

SOURCE  Air Products
    -0-                             05/10/2005
    /CONTACT:  Media Inquiries: Tom Yencho, +1-610-481-1192, e-mail:
yenchot@airproducts.com; or Investor Inquiries: Phil Sproger, +1-610-481-7461,
e-mail: sprogepc@airproducts.com, both of Air Products/
    /Web site:  http://www.airproducts.com /
    (APD)

CO:  Air Products; Samsung Austin Semiconductor
ST:  Pennsylvania, Texas
IN:  CHM CPR SEM
SU:  CON

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8804 05/10/2005 15:36 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com