Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD) has announced that it will be a presenting sponsor of the 2nd Annual Battle of the Corporate Bands at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio, on Saturday, October 5, 2002. The Air Products band "The Difference" was the winner of last year's inaugural competition, which earned the band a place in the Hall of Fame alongside a vintage Les Paul guitar. While "The Difference" cannot compete this year due to competition rules, the band will provide entertainment at the event's evening VIP reception, together with Fortune magazine's band "The Prowlers."

Fortune magazine is again hosting the event, while Air Products joins Gibson Guitars, Canon, Key Bank and Monsoon as presenting sponsors. Proceeds will benefit the Hall of Fame Education Fund. According to John Dodds, global marketing communications director for Air Products, "We decided to become a sponsor of this year's event because it is a perfect venue to recognize and celebrate the incredible creative diversity that exists not only within Air Products but across America's corporations. Our own rock band is a great morale builder and source of pride for our employees and communities. It is a true reflection of the passion, integrity and understanding that we demonstrate every day in our relationships with each other, our customers and other business partners."

Formed in late 2000 and based at Air Products' headquarters in Allentown, Pa., "The Difference" captured last year's title as best corporate band in America during the final round of the competition with its rendition of "Hotel California" by The Eagles. This year, several new and returning bands from corporations like Harley Davidson, Briggs & Stratton, PeopleSoft and Fidelity Investments will participate in the day-long event, which attracted more than 3,000 visitors to the Hall of Fame last October. In the meantime, "The Difference" recently released its first album—Rockin' for Charities—containing a collection of the band's best cover songs, with proceeds going to charity. The band will release its second album later this year featuring some original songs and additional cover songs.

"The Difference" has 34 appearances booked for 2002, including fundraisers for the American Diabetes Foundation; Special Olympics; Leukemia Society; Children's Home of Easton, Pa.; Habitat for Humanity; American Heart Association; and the Boys and Girls Club of Allentown. The band also performs for employee events, as well as for customers, most recently appearing in San Francisco at SEMICON West, the semiconductor industry's largest annual trade show in the U.S. At the end of September, "The Difference" will open for country music singer Aaron Tippin at the Four Rivers Center for the Performing Arts in Paducah, Ky. In nearby Calvert City, Air Products operates a major production facility employing over 230 people.

Members of "The Difference" include Sal Nicrone, band leader, drums and vocals; Steve Eck, acoustic guitar and vocals; Jim Gorman, keyboards; Barry Grow, bass guitar and vocals; Joe Hilgar, guitar and vocals; Ed McKendry, lead guitar and vocals; Jim Meyer, lead guitar and vocals; and Terry Wetzel, sound technician. When asked what they enjoy most about playing in a company band and performing as often as three times a month for local charities (free of charge), all agree that "helping to bring joy to those less fortunate and raising funds for worthwhile projects is a great feeling."

Summing up his experience as part of the band and as a 25-year veteran of the company, Hilgar says, "A career at Air Products is more than just the work you do in the office."

For more information visit "The Difference" web site.

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (www.airproducts.com) is the world's only combined gases and chemicals company. Founded more than 60 years ago, the business has annual revenues of $5.7 billion and operations in 30 countries. Air Products is a market leader in the global electronics and chemical processing industries, and a long-standing innovator in many industrial markets, including coatings, adhesives and polyurethanes. The company distinguishes itself through its 18,000 employees around the world, who build lasting relationships with their customers and communities based on understanding, integrity and passion.