LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., Mar 17, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE: APD) and VisionMonitor Software, LLC today announced an alliance agreement that enables Air Products' Emissions Optimizer service, a critical component of Air Products' overall Environmental Solutions business initiative. This new alliance will utilize VisionMonitor's Compliance Intelligence suite of products, which offers up-to-date electronic aggregating, forecasting, reporting, and assuring of emissions compliance at a plant, as well as at a corporate level.

Air Products' Emissions Optimizer service has the ability to help environmental and business managers develop optimal compliance strategies across a plant or an entire region. It incorporates and leverages previously fragmented regional industry production forecasts and emission control strategy information, which is currently unavailable through existing emissions trading programs.

VisionMonitor's existing Compliance Intelligence infrastructure provides the platform needed for data integration with Air Products' Emissions Optimizer service. This new business method has the ability to identify the lowest cost of emission control in a non-attainment region, and makes these lower cost opportunities progressively available to the entire region. This allows companies to improve the overall rates of return on environmental compliance projects. The web-enabled VisionMonitor Compliance Intelligence system is available as an enterprise intranet solution or in a newly created application service provider (ASP) solution. The ASP solution provides companies with a subscription fees alternative to installed environmental compliance software.

"Using traditional approaches, companies are limited to the options available within their own plant sites. In contrast, the Emissions Optimizer can view all identified sources in an affected region and help create a plant's optimal compliance solution," said Torgeir Mantor, Chairman of VisionMonitor Software, LLC. "Many times, compliance with evolving environmental regulations requires costly operational enhancements. Air Products' Emissions Optimizer service has the ability to create superior solutions for customers compared to what they have currently available."

"It's exciting to see a new technology that helps improve the environment and industry viability at the same time. VisionMonitor's suite of Compliance Intelligence products already integrates the necessary compliance information needed for Air Products' Emissions Optimizer. This alliance is a good fit with Air Products Environmental Solutions business and builds on VisionMonitor's proven information technology strengths," said David Ashworth, director, Services and Solutions, Chemical and Process Industries at Air Products.

VisionMonitor's compliance intelligence system is installed at Air Products' La Porte and Pasadena, Texas facilities. Air Products' overall Environmental Solutions initiative will be initially introduced in Texas' Houston Galveston region in March 2003.

VisionMonitor Software, LLC is a leading provider of enterprise wide software solutions to energy companies that are subject to government environmental regulations. Founded in 2001 by a group of Houston-based technology and energy business experts, the company develops, markets and supports the VisionMonitor Compliance Intelligence Suite of software products (VMCI). Already in use by several major energy companies, VMCI enables users to easily manage the complexities and optimize the costs of compliance with rapidly changing federal and state environmental regulations. VisionMonitor Software, LLC supplies its Compliance Intelligence suite both as enterprise software and on an ASP basis. For further information on VisionMonitor Software, LLC, please visit www.visionmonitor.com or call 713-785-8300.

Air Products 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 over 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.

***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.

CONTACT:          Media Inquiries: Art George, +1-610-481-1340, e-mail:
                  georgeaf@apci.com; or Investor Inquiries: Alexander W. Masetti,
                  +1-610-481-7461, e-mail: masettaw@apci.com, both of Air Products and
                  Chemicals

URL:              http://www.visionmonitor.com 
                  http://www.airproducts.com 
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