Additional Flooring System Product Relieves Blistering and Delamination Concerns

In the construction industry, where time is money, contractors inevitably face varied delays. Two unique products on the global commercial market developed by Air Products provide solutions for contractors facing important concrete challenges. Anquamine^® 287 curing agent, which can be applied to "green" concrete to remove the usual extended delays for proper concrete curing, and Anquamine^® 701 curing agent, which solves troublesome moisture vapor transmission issues for new and existing concrete, are feature products at the International Coatings Expo (ICE) 2003 being held from November 12-14 in Philadelphia, Pa.

• Anquamine 287 curing agent is a new high-performance primer and sealer for application to freshly poured "green" concrete. A waterborne epoxy curing agent, this novel product allows for a faster return to service. It can be applied to fresh concrete just 24 hours after pouring with excellent adhesion results. Anquamine 287 curing agent's sealing and fast drying capabilities then allow application of a complete flooring system within just 24 hour—instead of the customary waiting period of 28 days. And there is no need for sandblasting or primer-sealer removal before further treatment, thus saving additional time, labor and related construction expense.
   
• Anquamine 701 curing agent is a complete self-leveling flooring system product that complements the newest concrete offering and can be applied to new or existing concrete. Anquamine 701 curing agent offers added benefits when applied to concrete facing longer-term moisture concerns. It is a semi-permeable and "breathable" flooring system that eliminates blistering or delamination, solving problems associated with moisture vapor transmission in the civil engineering market.
  "These are two very unique products available to the global market and produced by Air Products facilities around the world," said Marino Papazoglou, market manager, North American epoxy additives for Air Products. "Anquamine 287 curing agent is the only curing agent in the worldwide marketplace that performs as a primer and curing compound for green concrete applications. It allows contractors to get back on the job in 48 hours instead of 28 days. And with Anquamine 701 curing agent, customers can formulate a thick flooring system on new or old concrete that is breathable and will last a long time."

A zero VOC (volatile organic compound) formulation, Anquamine 287 curing agent is also attractive to customers for environmental reasons. The waterborne product easily mixes with water and resin, and can be brushed, rolled or spray applied to green concrete, as well as new or existing concrete areas. A low formulation viscosity promotes excellent penetration of the concrete substrate.

"The benefits of this product are multiple, and not just in providing increased productivity to the construction process by allowing a faster return to service," said Papazoglou. "This is a zero-VOC environmentally-friendly product that primes and seals, and does not have to be removed prior to installing a complete flooring system. It has been developed in a manner to make it compatible with a lot of different flooring systems."

One such flooring system is the Anquamine 701 curing agent product. Debuted two years ago at ICE, Anquamine 701 curing agent specializes in concrete protection when facing longer-term moisture concerns. It is designed to offer a solution to problems like blistering or delamination that are associated with moisture vapor transmission through the concrete substrate. Anquamine 701 curing agent is based on a polymeric emulsion and has been developed primarily for use with liquid epoxy resins. It is capable of out-performing solid resin emulsion-based systems by offering the ability to formulate systems with high film thickness, zero-VOC and without emulsifiers.

In addition to permeable coatings, Anquamine 701 curing agent provides enhanced performance to a wide variety of applications including high-gloss to matte topcoats, food and potable water contact coatings, grouts and putties, institutional coatings, and anti-corrosive and high-build coatings. Product attributes include very fast film drying, excellent adhesion to a wide range of substrates, low viscosity, good low temperature cure, very low free-amine content and good early water resistance, temperature and shear-stability, and the ability to formulate low-cost systems based on high filler levels.

More information on this unique product is available via the worldwide web by visiting www.airproducts.com/epoxyadditives. For samples, please contact Air Products' Product Information Center, 7201 Hamilton Boulevard, Allentown, Pa. 18195-1501; telephone 800-345-3148 (outside the U.S. 610-481-6799); fax 610-481-4381; or e-mail prodinfo@apci.com.

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. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets and is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment. With annual revenues of $6.3 billion and operations in over 30 countries, the company's 17,400 employees build lasting relationships with their customers and communities based on understanding, integrity and passion. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.

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