Manufacturing Plant Upgrade and Specially Created Containers Make

Advance Possible

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., Feb. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- High brightness blue, white and UV light emitting diodes (LEDs) are considered to be on the cutting edge of today's LED technology. But today, Air Products (NYSE: APD) in Allentown, PA has pushed that edge out a little further with the announcement that it is producing and shipping White Ammonia(TM) product (99.99999+%), a new ultra-high purity ammonia that is the first commercially available product to achieve lower than one part per billion (ppb) of moisture without needing the additional step of downstream purification. The end result is better performing LEDs. With this material, LED manufacturers can take a significant step closer to achieving `white' light, which is widely considered to be the future replacement of incandescent lighting for all kinds of applications including accent lighting, high performance flashlights and ultimately, general illumination.

White Ammonia(TM) offerings are produced exclusively at Air Products' electronic specialty gas manufacturing plant located in Hometown, PA and its purity is tested onsite in a trace metals laboratory. In November 2002, the Hometown facility completed construction of its multi-million dollar distillation plant designed to produce ultra-high purity ammonia in order to meet the changing needs of its customers in the compound semiconductor industry.

"Our goal is to strengthen our position as the leading supplier of electronic specialty gases to the high brightness LED market. This new material certainly helps us do that. The investments made to our infrastructure at Hometown will ensure a consistent supply of high purity ammonia for our customers," said Michael Hilton, Air Products' vice president for Electronic Gases, Equipment and Services. "This new product is the next generation and a natural evolution of our Blue Ammonia(R) offering which was first introduced by Solkatronic to the market in 1998," he said.

After manufacture and analysis is completed, the White Ammonia(TM) product is then shipped to customers in North America, Europe and Asia via unique bulk containers specifically created for this new application. The GASGUARD(R) Bulk Specialty Gas System (BSGS) ISO containers incorporate high purity interiors and an integrated heating system to give customers the capability of dispensing ammonia at significantly higher flow rates.

Air Products is the leading materials supplier to the electronics industry, manufacturing and purifying greater than 70 percent of its electronic specialty gas products. The company supplies electronic specialty gases for chamber cleaning, etching, doping and ion implant applications, interlayer dielectrics and optoelectronics manufacturing.

Air Products (NYSE: APD) serves customers in technology, energy, healthcare and industrial markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of products, services and solutions, providing atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials and chemical intermediates. The company is the largest global supplier of electronic materials, hydrogen, helium and select performance chemicals. Founded in 1940, Air Products is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment. With annual revenues of $5.4 billion and operations in 30 countries, the company's 17,200 employees build lasting relationships with their customers and communities based on understanding, integrity and passion. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com/compound.

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

-0- 02/06/2003

/NOTE TO EDITORS: Air Products acquired Solkatronic Chemicals, Inc. from Solvay American, Inc. in May 1998. A full version of the news release can be found at http://www.airproducts.com/corp/rel/1998/98111.asp/

/CONTACT: Media Inquiries: Katherine (Kassie) Hilgert, +1-610-481-1158, hilgerk@apci.com, or Investor Inquiries: Alexander W. Masetti, +1-610-481-7461, masettaw@apci.com, both of Air Products/

/Web site: http://www.airproducts.com/compound /