Southern Air Products (Guangzhou) Ltd. completed the construction and start-up of South China's largest liquid production facility located in the Guangzhou Economic and Technological Development District in Guangdong Province, China. Built on a stand-alone basis, the plant is now supplying many of the leading manufacturers in the region.

This facility, which was designed and manufactured by Air Products, has the capacity to supply 500 metric tons per day of gaseous nitrogen, and over 330 metric tons per day of liquid oxygen, nitrogen, and argon on a combined basis for industries in Guangdong Province, which includes Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan, and Zhuhai.

"This plant incorporates the latest technology to meet the high reliability and purity requirements of the expanding high technology industry in Guangdong Province," said Bob Eng, general manager of Southern Air Products. "Additionally, it will be able to supply the increasing demand for industrial gases in this rapidly growing region, primarily for electronics, steel, metals, chemicals, glass and lighting manufacturers."

Air Products was one of the first foreign industrial gas firms to enter China with a joint venture in 1987. Currently, Southern Air Products is one of 12 foreign investment enterprises in China owned by Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD). Within South China, Air Products also owns Chun Wang Industrial Gases (Shenzhen) Ltd., a major supplier of industrial cylinder gases located in the Shekou Industrial Zone, Shenzhen.

Recently, it was announced that Air Products' subsidiary, Air Products and Chemicals (China) Investment Co., Ltd., signed an agreement to form a 50/50 joint venture to be named Wuxi-Hi-Tech Gases Company, Ltd. Based in Wuxi, a new and very dynamic industrial region about 250 kilometers from Shanghai, an air separation unit with a daily capacity of 430 metric tons of liquid oxygen, nitrogen and argon is to be built, with start-up scheduled for late 2002.

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 $5.5 billion and operations in 30 countries. Air Products is a market leader in the global electronics and chemical processing industries, and a longstanding innovator in many industrial markets, including coatings, adhesives and polyurethanes. The company distinguishes itself through its 17,500 employees around the world, who build lasting relationships with their customers and communities based on understanding, integrity and passion.

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