FORM 10-Q
Table of Contents



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

     
(Mark One)
   
þ
  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
  OF 1934
 
   
  For the quarterly period ended 31 December 2004

OR

     
o
  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
  OF 1934
 
   
  For the transition period from                                          to                                         

Commission file number 1-4534

AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
     
Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
  23-1274455
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
7201 Hamilton Boulevard, Allentown, Pennsylvania
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
  18195-1501
(Zip Code)

610-481-4911
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Not Applicable
(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes þ No o

     Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

         
Class       Outstanding at 31 January 2005
         
Common Stock, $1 par value       227,598,633



 


AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC. and Subsidiaries
INDEX

         
    Page No.  
       
 
       
     3  
     4  
     5  
     6  
     7  
     8  
     9  
    13  
    24  
    24  
 
       
 
    25  
    26  
    27  
 EX-10.1: FORM OF AWARD AGREEMENT
 EX-10.2: COMPENSATION PROGRAM FOR DIRECTORS
 EX-10.3: DESCRIPTION OF PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
 EX-12: COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 EX-31.1: CERTIFICATION
 EX-31.2: CERTIFICATION
 EX-32: CERTIFICATION

BASIS OF PRESENTATION:

The consolidated financial statements of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “company” or “registrant”) included herein have been prepared by the company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. In the opinion of the company, the accompanying statements reflect adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for those periods indicated, and contain adequate disclosure to make the information presented not misleading. Adjustments included herein are of a normal, recurring nature unless otherwise disclosed in the notes to consolidated financial statements. However, the interim results for the periods indicated herein do not reflect certain adjustments, such as the valuation of inventories on the LIFO cost basis, which can only be finally determined on an annual basis. The consolidated financial statements included herein should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the company’s latest annual report on Form 10-K in order to fully understand the basis of presentation.

Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for a full year. Reference the 2005 Outlook included on pages 19-20 in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. Risk factors that could impact results are discussed under Forward-Looking Statements on page 23.

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)

(Millions of dollars, except for share data)

                 
   
    31 December 2004     30 September 2004  
 
ASSETS
               
 
CURRENT ASSETS
               
Cash and cash items
  $ 272.7     $ 146.3  
Trade receivables, less allowances for doubtful accounts
    1,515.1       1,454.7  
Inventories
    519.3       505.9  
Contracts in progress, less progress billings
    24.0       71.3  
Other current assets
    279.9       238.7  
 
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
    2,611.0       2,416.9  
 
INVESTMENTS IN NET ASSETS OF AND ADVANCES TO EQUITY AFFILIATES
    672.1       629.8  
PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, at cost
    12,763.7       12,201.5  
Less Accumulated depreciation
    6,846.1       6,499.3  
 
PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net
    5,917.6       5,702.2  
 
GOODWILL
    917.9       830.5  
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net
    104.4       101.4  
OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS
    430.4       359.6  
 
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 10,653.4     $ 10,040.4  
 
 
               
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES
               
Payables and accrued liabilities
  $ 1,345.5     $ 1,319.6  
Accrued income taxes
    135.6       105.9  
Short-term borrowings
    33.3       35.4  
Current portion of long-term debt
    290.5       244.7  
 
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
    1,804.9       1,705.6  
 
LONG-TERM DEBT
    2,241.4       2,113.6  
DEFERRED INCOME & OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES
    894.4       820.3  
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES
    788.1       788.0  
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES
    5,728.8       5,427.5  
 
MINORITY INTEREST IN SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
    183.8       168.9  
 
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Common stock (par value $1 per share, issued 2005 and 2004- 249,455,584 shares)
    249.4       249.4  
Capital in excess of par value
    574.2       551.8  
Retained earnings
    4,989.2       4,887.1  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    (301.1 )     (440.7 )
Treasury stock, at cost (2005 – 22,143,707 shares; 2004 – 22,153,707 shares)
    (764.5 )     (764.8 )
Shares in trust (2005 – 238,105 shares; 2004 – 1,527,101 shares)
    (6.4 )     (38.8 )
 
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
    4,740.8       4,444.0  
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 10,653.4     $ 10,040.4  
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

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AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

(Millions of dollars, except for share data)

                 
   
    Three Months Ended  
    31 December  
    2004     2003  
 
SALES
  $ 1,991.0     $ 1,684.9  
COSTS AND EXPENSES
               
Cost of sales
    1,475.5       1,230.2  
Selling and administrative
    252.8       231.4  
Research and development
    33.1       30.0  
Other (income) expense, net
    (8.7 )     (5.5 )
 
OPERATING INCOME
    238.3       198.8  
Equity affiliates’ income
    25.5       19.6  
Interest expense
    27.8       30.9  
 
INCOME BEFORE TAXES AND MINORITY INTEREST
    236.0       187.5  
Income tax provision
    64.9       51.3  
Minority interest (a)
    4.3       4.4  
 
NET INCOME
  $ 166.8     $ 131.8  
 
BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
  $ .74     $ .59  
 
DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
  $ .72     $ .58  
 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING (in millions)
    226.4       221.9  
 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING ASSUMING DILUTION (in millions)
    232.3       227.0  
 
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE – Cash
  $ .29     $ .23  
 


(a) Minority interest primarily includes before-tax amounts.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

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AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

(Millions of dollars)

                 
   
    Three Months Ended  
    31 December  
    2004     2003  
 
NET INCOME
  $ 166.8     $ 131.8  
 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, net of tax:
               
Net unrealized holding gain on investments, net of income tax of $1.7 in 2005 and $.1 in 2004
    2.8       .1  
Net unrecognized loss on derivatives qualifying as hedges, net of income tax of $3.8 in 2005 and $.5 in 2004
    (6.9 )     (1.1 )
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income tax of $38.0 in 2005 and $49.5 in 2004
    143.7       56.4  
 
TOTAL OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
    139.6       55.4  
 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
  $ 306.4     $ 187.2  
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

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AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(Millions of dollars)
                 
 
    Three Months Ended  
    31 December  
    2004     2003  
 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
               
Net Income
  $ 166.8     $ 131.8  
Adjustments to reconcile income to cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    179.4       174.4  
Deferred income taxes
    16.6       23.1  
Undistributed earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
    (5.9 )     (12.0 )
Gain on sale of assets and investments
    (.3 )     (1.2 )
Other
    11.1       29.8  
 
Subtotal
    367.7       345.9  
Working capital changes that provided (used) cash, excluding effects of acquisitions and divestitures:
               
Trade receivables
    (2.8 )     (32.8 )
Inventories and contracts in progress
    45.8       (4.0 )
Payables and accrued liabilities
    (57.3 )     (18.5 )
Other
    1.9       (84.9 )
 
CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
    355.3       205.7  
 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
               
Additions to plant and equipment (a)
    (216.1 )     (152.3 )
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates
    (3.5 )     (2.2 )
Acquisitions, less cash acquired (b)
    (45.1 )     (25.9 )
Proceeds from sale of assets and investments
    2.6       7.6  
Other
    1.4       .6  
 
CASH USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES
    (260.7 )     (172.2 )
 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
               
Long-term debt proceeds
    59.5       146.7  
Payments on long-term debt
    (13.5 )     (97.5 )
Net increase (decrease) in commercial paper and short-term borrowings
    2.7       (73.0 )
Dividends paid to shareholders
    (65.5 )     (50.9 )
Proceeds from stock option exercises
    42.2       54.1  
 
CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
    25.4       (20.6 )
 
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash
    6.4       3.8  
 
Increase in Cash and Cash Items
    126.4       16.7  
Cash and Cash Items — Beginning of Year
    146.3       76.2  
 
Cash and Cash Items — End of Period
  $ 272.7     $ 92.9  
 


(a)   Excludes capital lease additions of $1.5 and $.7 for the three months ended 31 December 2004 and 2003, respectively.

(b)   Excludes $.6 of capital lease obligations assumed in acquisitions in the three months ended 31 December 2004.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

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AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC. and Subsidiaries

SUMMARY BY BUSINESS SEGMENTS
(Unaudited)

(Millions of dollars)

                 
 
    Three Months Ended  
    31 December  
    2004     2003  
 
Revenues from external customers
               
Gases
  $ 1,442.7     $ 1,203.5  
Chemicals
    460.7       410.1  
Equipment
    87.6       71.3  
 
Segment and Consolidated Totals
  $ 1,991.0     $ 1,684.9  
 
 
               
Operating income
               
Gases
  $ 219.8     $ 182.3  
Chemicals
    20.0       24.5  
Equipment
    6.0       (.3 )
 
Segment Totals
    245.8       206.5  
 
Corporate research and development and other income (expense)
    (7.5 )     (7.7 )
 
Consolidated Totals
  $ 238.3     $ 198.8  
 
 
               
Equity affiliates’ income
               
Gases
  $ 22.6     $ 17.7  
Chemicals
    2.9       1.9  
Equipment
           
 
Segment and Consolidated Totals
  $ 25.5     $ 19.6  
 

(Millions of dollars)

                 
 
    31 December     30 September  
    2004     2004  
 
Identifiable assets (a)
               
Gases
  $ 7,693.1     $ 7,339.8  
Chemicals
    1,402.8       1,402.5  
Equipment
    214.6       226.4  
 
Segment Totals
    9,310.5       8,968.7  
 
Corporate assets
    670.8       441.9  
 
Consolidated Totals
  $ 9,981.3     $ 9,410.6  
 


(a)   Identifiable assets are equal to total assets less investments in equity affiliates.

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AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC. and Subsidiaries

SUMMARY BY GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS
(Unaudited)

(Millions of dollars)

                 
 
    Three Months Ended  
    31 December  
    2004     2003  
 
Revenues from external customers
               
United States
  $ 1,138.9     $ 943.2  
Canada
    18.5       19.6  
 
Total North America
    1,157.4       962.8  
 
United Kingdom
    154.2       147.4  
Spain
    115.6       105.0  
Other Europe
    295.8       254.3  
 
Total Europe
    565.6       506.7  
 
Asia
    229.6       171.8  
Latin America
    38.4       43.6  
 
Total
  $ 1,991.0     $ 1,684.9  
 
     

Note:
  Geographic information is based on country of origin. The Other Europe segment operates principally in Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. The Asia segment operates principally in China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.

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AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Millions of dollars, except for share data)

MAJOR ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Refer to the company’s 2004 annual report on Form 10-K for a description of major accounting policies. There have been no material changes to these accounting policies during 2005.

Share-Based Compensation

At 31 December 2004, the company had various stock-based compensation plans as described in Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements in the company’s 2004 annual report on Form 10-K. The company accounts for its stock option plans under the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related Interpretations. No compensation expense has been recognized in net income for stock options, as options granted had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment,” (SFAS No. 123R) as discussed under New Accounting Standards below.

The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” to its stock option plans.

                 
 
    Three Months Ended  
    31 December  
    2004     2003  
 
Net income, as reported
  $ 166.8     $ 131.8  
Deduct total stock option employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method, net of related tax effects
    (6.9 )     (7.5 )
 
Pro forma net income
  $ 159.9     $ 124.3  
 
 
               
Basic Earnings per Share
               
As reported
  $ .74     $ .59  
Pro forma
  $ .71     $ .56  
 
 
               
Diluted Earnings per Share
               
As reported
  $ .72     $ .58  
Pro forma
  $ .69     $ .55  
 

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

In November 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 151, “Inventory Costs, an amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4,” to clarify the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs and spoilage. SFAS No. 151 requires that these costs be recognized as current-period charges. In addition, this Statement requires that allocation of fixed production overheads be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. SFAS No. 151 is effective for inventory costs incurred during fiscal years beginning after 15 June 2005. The company will adopt this Statement as of 1 October 2005. Adoption of SFAS No. 151 will not have a material effect on the company’s consolidated financial statements because its inventory accounting policies are consistent with the requirements of this Statement.

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In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 153, “Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets, an amendment of APB Opinion No. 29.” The amendments made by SFAS No. 153 are based on the principle that exchanges of nonmonetary assets should be measured based on the fair value of the assets exchanged. SFAS No. 153 eliminates the narrow exception from fair value measurement for nonmonetary exchanges of similar productive assets and replaces it with a broader exception for exchanges of nonmonetary assets that do not have commercial substance. A nonmonetary exchange has commercial substance if the entity’s future cash flows are expected to change significantly as a result of the exchange. The company adopted SFAS No. 153 as of 1 January 2005 and will apply the provisions of this Statement prospectively to nonmonetary asset exchange transactions. This Statement is not expected to have a material impact on the company’s consolidated financial statements.

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment,” (SFAS No. 123R) which requires companies to expense the grant-date fair value of employee stock options. The company currently applies APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” in accounting for its stock option plans. Accordingly, no compensation expense has been recognized for employee stock options. Companies are required to adopt SFAS No. 123R using a modified prospective method (i.e., recording compensation cost for new and modified awards and also for the unvested portion of previously issued and outstanding awards). SFAS No. 123R is effective fiscal periods beginning after 15 June 2005 and earlier adoption is encouraged. The company is planning to adopt this Statement on 1 July 2005 and restate prior periods. The impact of expensing stock options in 2004 is a reduction of diluted earnings per share of $.13 per the pro forma disclosures required by SFAS No. 123. The estimated impact of adopting SFAS No. 123R will be to reduce diluted earnings per share by approximately $.12 in 2005.

In December 2004, the FASB issued a FASB Staff Position (FSP) No. FAS 109-1, “Application of FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, to the Tax Deduction on Qualified Production Activities Provided by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the Act).” FSP FAS 109-1 clarifies that the tax deduction for manufacturers provided for in the Act should be accounted for as a special deduction rather than as a tax rate reduction. The manufacturers’ deduction is not available to the company until fiscal year 2006. The company is evaluating the effect the manufacturers’ deduction will have in future fiscal years.

In December 2004, the FASB also issued FSP No. FAS 109-2, “Accounting and Disclosure Guidance for the Foreign Earnings Repatriation Provision within the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.” The Act creates a temporary incentive for U. S. corporations to repatriate accumulated income earned abroad by providing an 85% dividends received deduction for certain dividends from controlled foreign corporations. The company may elect to apply this provision to qualifying earnings repatriations in either fiscal year 2005 or 2006. The deduction is subject to several limitations, and uncertainty remains as to how to interpret numerous provisions in the Act. FSP FAS 109-2 provides additional time for the company to evaluate the impact of the Act in applying SFAS No. 109. Until the U. S. Congress and the Treasury Department issue final guidance to clarify key elements in the Act, the company is unable to determine the amount of possible earnings repatriation or the tax impact of the dividends deduction.

GOODWILL

Changes to the carrying amount of consolidated goodwill by segment for the three months ended 31 December 2004, are as follows:

                                 
    Gases     Chemicals     Equipment     Total  
 
Balance as of 30 September 2004
  $ 721.2     $ 99.3     $ 10.0     $ 830.5  
Acquisitions and adjustments
    37.7                   37.7  
Currency translation
    44.7       4.2       .8       49.7  
 
Balance as of 31 December 2004
  $ 803.6     $ 103.5     $ 10.8     $ 917.9  
 

The increase in goodwill is primarily from the acquisition of two U.S. homecare businesses, for which goodwill totaled $30.2.

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EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS):

                 
 
    Three Months Ended  
    31 December  
    2004     2003  
 
NUMERATOR
               
Net income used in basic and diluted EPS
  $ 166.8     $ 131.8  
 
DENOMINATOR (in millions)
               
Weighted average number of common
    226.4       221.9  
shares used in basic EPS
               
Effect of dilutive securities
               
Employee stock options
    5.1       4.5  
Other award plans
    .8       .6  
 
 
    5.9       5.1  
 
Weighted average number of common
    232.3       227.0  
shares and dilutive potential common
               
shares used in diluted EPS
               
 
BASIC EPS
  $ .74     $ .59  
 
DILUTED EPS
  $ .72     $ .58  
 

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

The components of net pension and other postretirement benefit cost are as follows:

     
                                 
 
    Three Months Ended 31 December  
    2004     2003     2004     2003  
 
    Pension Benefits     Other Benefits  
 
Service cost
  $ 19.7     $ 17.0     $ 1.2     $ 1.2  
Interest cost
    34.6       32.3       1.4       1.4  
Expected return on plan assets
    (35.9 )     (28.7 )            
Prior service cost amortization
    .8       .9       (.3 )     (.3 )
Actuarial loss (gain) amortization
    8.3       8.6       .1       .1  
Transition amount amortization
          (.1 )            
Settlement and curtailment charges
    .2       2.3              
Special termination benefits
    1.0                    
Other
    .2       .8              
 
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 28.9     $ 33.1     $ 2.4     $ 2.4  
 

During the three months ended 31 December 2004, contributions of $20.2 were made. The company expects to contribute approximately $60 to the pension plans during the remainder of 2005. For the three months ended 31 December 2003, contributions of $10.5 were made. During 2004, total contributions were $277.0.

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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

In 1999, the company made an investment in INOX, an Indian industrial gases company. As part of that transaction, put options were issued which gave the other (joint 50%) shareholders the right to require the company to purchase their shares (approximately 5.1 million) of INOX (renamed INOXAP) at a predefined price. The option period began January 2004 and extended through January 2006. On 22 January 2005, the company and the other shareholders extended and revised the terms of the option agreement. The other shareholders may give notice to exercise the revised put option between October and December 2010. The option, if exercised, would be effective on 31 July 2011. The option may also be exercised within six months of the death or permanent incapacity of the current Managing Director of INOXAP. The revised option price is based on a multiple of earnings formula, but not less than 630 Rupees per share. The U.S. dollar price of purchasing all 5.1 million shares at the minimum per share amount based on the current exchange rate would be approximately $74.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

(Millions of dollars, except for share data)

The disclosures in this quarterly report are complementary to those made in the company’s 2004 annual report on Form 10-K. An analysis of results for the first quarter of 2005, including an update to the company’s 2005 Outlook, is provided in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis to follow.

All comparisons are to the corresponding period in the prior year unless otherwise stated. All amounts presented are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

FIRST QUARTER 2005 VS. FIRST QUARTER 2004

FIRST QUARTER 2005 IN SUMMARY

•   The company achieved 20% plus earnings per share growth compared to the prior year for the fourth consecutive quarter.
 
•   Sales of $1,991 were up 18% from the prior year, driven by higher volumes across all business segments. Gases segment volumes were strong, particularly in the company’s refinery hydrogen and electronics growth businesses. In Chemicals, volumes improved in both the Performance Materials and Chemical Intermediates businesses. Equipment segment sales increased, mainly on higher liquefied natural gas (LNG) heat exchanger sales activity.
 
•   Operating income of $238 increased 20%. Strong volume increases, favorable currency effects and productivity gains were partially offset by higher costs for raw materials, productivity initiatives, and incentive compensation expense.
 
•   Net income of $167 increased 27% and diluted earnings per share of $.72 increased 24%. A summary table of changes in earnings per share is presented below.
 
•   Challenges in the Chemicals segment continued during the first quarter of 2005. While volume growth was solid, improving 6% from the prior year, rising feedstock costs again outpaced price increases.
 
•   As part of the global cost reduction plan announced in the third quarter of 2003, the company decided to pursue the sale of its European methylamines and derivatives business (EM&D). After a long regulatory process, the sale of the EM&D business was completed in December 2004.
 
•   For a discussion of the challenges, risks, and opportunities on which management is focused, refer to the update to the company’s 2005 Outlook provided on pages 19-20.

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Changes in Earnings per Share

                         
 
    Three Months Ended        
    31 December     Increase  
    2004     2003     (Decrease)
 
Diluted Earnings per Share
  $ .72     $ .58     $ .14  
 
Operating Income (after-tax)
                       
Acquisitions
                    .01  
Currency
                    .03  
Underlying business
                       
Volume
                    .18  
Price/raw materials
                    (.04 )
Costs
                    (.05 )
 
Operating Income
                    .13  
 
Other (after-tax)
                       
Equity affiliates’ income
                    .02  
Interest expense
                    .01  
Average shares outstanding
                    (.02 )
 
Other
                    .01  
 
                       
 
Total Change in Earnings per Share
                  $ .14  
 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Consolidated Results

                         
 
    Three Months Ended        
    31 December        
    2004     2003     % Change 
 
Sales
  $ 1,991.0     $ 1,684.9       18 %
Cost of sales
    1,475.5       1,230.2       20 %
Selling and administrative
    252.8       231.4       9 %
Research and development
    33.1       30.0       10 %
Other (income) expense, net
    (8.7 )     (5.5 )     58 %
Operating Income
    238.3       198.8       20 %
Equity affiliates’ income
    25.5       19.6       30 %
Interest expense
    27.8       30.9       (10 %)
Effective tax rate
    28 %     28 %      
Net Income
    166.8       131.8       27 %
Basic Earnings per Share
  $ .74     $ .59       25 %
Diluted Earnings per Share
  $ .72     $ .58       24 %
 

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Discussion of Consolidated Results

Sales

         
 
    % Change from
    Prior Year
 
Acquisitions
    1 %
Divestitures
    (1 %)
Currency
    3 %
Natural gas/raw material cost pass through
    4 %
Underlying business
       
Volume
    11 %
Price/mix
     
 
Total Consolidated Change
    18 %
 

Sales of $1,991.0 increased 18%, or $306.1. Underlying base business growth of 11% resulted from improved volumes across all business segments, as discussed in the Segment Analysis which follows. The acquisitions of U.S. homecare companies accounted for 1% of the increase. Sales increased 3% from favorable currency effects, driven primarily by the weakening of the U.S. dollar against the Euro and also the Pound Sterling. Higher natural gas/raw material cost pass through to customers accounted for an additional 4% of the sales increase.

Operating Income

Operating income of $238.3 increased 20%, or $39.5. Favorable operating income variances resulted from higher volumes for $58 and favorable currency effects for $11. Operating income decreased $18 from higher costs, including costs to implement productivity initiatives and incentive compensation expense. Productivity gains offset inflation. In the Chemicals segment, operating income decreased by $14 from higher costs for major raw materials not contractually passed through to customers or recovered via price increases.

Equity Affiliates’ Income

Income from equity affiliates of $25.5 increased $5.9, or 30%. Gases equity affiliates’ income increased $4.9, with higher income reported by the Latin American and Asian affiliates. Chemicals equity affiliates’ income increased $1.0 from the higher results reported by the global polymer joint venture.

Selling and Administrative Expense (S&A)

         
 
    % Change from
    Prior Year
 
Acquisitions
    3 %
Divestitures
     
Currency
    3 %
Other costs
    3 %
 
Total S&A Change
    9 %
 

S&A expense of $252.8 increased 9%, or $21.4. S&A as a percent of sales declined to 12.7% from 13.7% in 2004. The acquisitions of U.S. homecare companies increased S&A by 3%. Currency effects, driven by the weakening of the U.S. dollar against the Euro and the Pound Sterling, increased S&A by 3%. Underlying costs increased 3%, primarily due to higher incentive compensation expense and costs associated with productivity initiatives. Productivity gains offset inflation.

Research and Development (R&D)

R&D increased 10%, or $3.1. R&D spending declined slightly as a percent of sales to 1.7% from 1.8% in 2004.

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Other (Income) Expense, Net

Other income of $8.7 increased $3.2. Items recorded to other income arise from transactions and events not directly related to the principal income earning activities of the company. No individual items were material in the comparison to the prior year.

                 
Interest Expense
 
    Three Months  
    Ended 31 December  
    2004     2003  
 
Interest incurred
  $ 29.8     $ 32.5  
Less: interest capitalized
    2.0       1.6  
 
Interest expense
  $ 27.8     $ 30.9  
 

Interest incurred decreased $2.7. The decrease resulted from a lower average debt balance excluding currency effects and lower average interest rates, partially offset by the impact of a weaker U.S. dollar on the translation of foreign currency interest.

Effective Tax Rate

The effective tax rate equals the income tax provision divided by income before taxes less minority interest. The effective tax rate was 28% in the first quarter of both 2005 and 2004.

Net Income

Net income was $166.8 compared to $131.8 in 2004. Diluted earnings per share of $.72 compared to $.58 in 2004. A summary table of changes in earnings per share is presented on page 14.

Segment Analysis

                         
Gases
 
    Three Months        
    Ended 31 December        
    2004     2003     % Change  
 
Sales
  $ 1,442.7     $ 1,203.5       20 %
Operating income
    219.8       182.3       21 %
Equity affiliates’ income
    22.6       17.7       28 %
 
         
Gases Sales
 
    % Change from
Prior Year
 
Acquisitions
    2 %
Divestitures
    (1 %)
Currency
    3 %
Natural gas/raw material cost pass through
    4 %
Underlying business
       
Volume
    12 %
Price/mix
     
 
Total Gases Change
    20 %
 

Sales of $1,442.7 increased 20%, or $239.2. The acquisitions of U.S. homecare companies accounted for 2% of the increase. Sales increased 3% from favorable currency effects, driven primarily by the weakening of the U.S. dollar against the Euro and also the Pound Sterling. Higher natural gas cost pass through to customers accounted for an additional 4% of the sales increase.

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Underlying base business sales growth of 12% was driven by higher volumes, primarily in Electronics and Energy and Process Industries (EPI).

  •   Electronic specialty materials volumes increased, due to growth in both the semiconductor and flat-panel display markets.
 
  •   On-site and pipeline volumes in EPI were up 16%, led by stronger HYCO (hydrogen and carbon monoxide) volumes. Volumes in 2005 benefited from new plant capacity and also spot sale opportunities. Hydrogen growth continues to be led by the ongoing trend for refiners to meet lower sulfur specifications.
 
  •   Liquid bulk volumes in North America improved 3%. Liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid nitrogen (LIN) volumes improved 3%, in line with the improving economy. Liquid hydrogen volumes improved from demand by the government sector.
 
  •   Liquid bulk volumes in Europe declined 1%. Underlying base business was essentially flat in line with the manufacturing economy. New customer additions did not fully offset lost business.
 
  •   Packaged gas volumes in Europe declined 1%, reflecting a weak manufacturing environment and fewer workdays this year.
 
  •   LOX/LIN volumes in Asia were up a strong 21%, driven mainly by solid demand growth across the region, particularly in Korea and Taiwan. The company experienced some slowing in China, principally related to government actions to control steel production in northern China.

Overall, the impact of pricing on sales was essentially neutral, with anticipated lower average selling prices of electronic specialty materials offset by higher liquid bulk pricing in the U.S. and Europe.

  •   The average selling price for electronic specialty materials declined as pricing pressure continued. However, volume growth more than offset the average pricing declines.
 
  •   Average pricing for LOX/LIN in North America increased 1%.
 
  •   LOX/LIN pricing in Europe increased 2%.

Gases Operating Income

Operating income of $219.8 increased 21%, or $37.5. Favorable operating income variances resulted from higher volumes for $40 and favorable currency effects for $9. Operating income declined $8 from higher costs, including incentive compensation expense and costs to implement productivity initiatives.

Gases Equity Affiliates’ Income

Gases equity affiliates’ income of $22.6 increased $4.9, with higher income reported by the Latin American and Asian affiliates.

                         
Chemicals
 
    Three Months          
    Ended 31 December          
    2004     2003     % Change  
 
Sales
  $ 460.7     $ 410.1       12 %
Operating income
    20.0       24.5       (18 %)
Equity affiliates’ income
    2.9       1.9       53 %
 
         
Chemicals Sales
 
    % Change from
Prior Year
 
Acquisitions
     
Divestitures
    (3 %)
Currency
    2 %
Natural gas/raw material cost pass through
    6 %
Underlying business
       
Volume
    6 %
Price/mix
    1 %
 
Total Chemicals Change
    12 %
 

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Sales of $460.7 increased 12%, or $50.6. Sales decreased 3% from the impact of the divestiture of the company’s Mexican polymers business. Sales increased 2% from favorable currency effects, driven primarily by the weakening of the U.S. dollar against the Euro. Higher raw material costs contractually passed through to customers accounted for an additional 6% of the sales increase.

Underlying base business sales increased 6% from higher volumes in both the Performance Materials and Chemical Intermediates businesses.

  •   In Performance Materials, base business volumes increased 7%, driven by improvements in epoxy and polyurethane additives and surfactants. Epoxy additive volumes were especially strong in Asia, with strong demand in the coatings market. Polyurethane additives benefited from strength in the construction and appliance market. Surfactant volumes were higher due to growth in existing accounts, increased penetration in Asia, and success in new product/market programs capitalizing on environmental trends. Worldwide emulsions volumes increased slightly, as the company is aggressively raising prices across this business and dealing with raw material shortages.
 
  •   In Chemical Intermediates, base business volumes increased 3%, driven by higher North American methylamines and polyurethane intermediates (PUI). North American methylamines volumes increased from new contractual volumes. PUI volumes improved compared to 2004 which reflected the unfavorable impact from customer outages. Volumes in higher amines were lower due to raw material shortages and the company’s efforts to raise prices.

Chemicals Operating Income

Operating income of $20.0 declined 18%, or $4.5. Higher volumes accounted for an increase of $12 in operating income. Operating income declined $14 from higher costs for major raw materials not contractually passed through to customers or recovered via price increases. The company is focused on recovering raw material cost increases and plans to continue to aggressively raise prices. (Refer to the Chemicals outlook on page 20 which discusses the company’s focus on increasing recovery of raw material costs.) In addition, operating income decreased $10 from higher costs, including plant operating costs associated with plant turnarounds.

Chemicals Equity Affiliates’ Income

Chemicals equity affiliates’ income of $2.9 increased $1.0. Chemicals equity affiliates’ income consists primarily of a global polymer joint venture.

                 
Equipment
 
    Three Months  
    Ended 31 December  
    2004     2003  
 
Sales
  $ 87.6     $ 71.3  
Operating income (loss)
    6.0       (.3 )
 

Equipment Sales and Operating Income

Sales and operating income increased primarily from higher liquefied natural gas (LNG) heat exchanger sales activity. Currency effects improved sales by 5%, due primarily to the strengthening of the Pound Sterling.

The sales backlog at 31 December 2004 was $400 compared to $297 at 30 September 2004. The backlog at 31 December 2004 included seven LNG heat exchangers.

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All Other

All other comprises corporate expenses and income not allocated to the segments, primarily corporate research and development expense.

                 
 
    Three Months  
    Ended 31 December  
    2004     2003  
 
Operating loss
  $ (7.5 )   $ (7.7 )
Equity affiliates’ income
           
 

The operating loss of $7.5 was comparable to the prior year. No items individually were material in the comparison to the prior year.

PENSION BENEFITS

Refer to the notes to the consolidated financial statements on page 11 for details on pension cost and cash contributions. For additional information on the company’s pension benefits and associated accounting policies, refer to the Pension Benefits section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis and Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements in the company’s 2004 annual report on Form 10-K.

2005 OUTLOOK

The company’s priority is to improve return on capital. Action plans are in place to load existing assets, drive productivity, focus capital spending on growth areas, and continuously improve the company’s portfolio of businesses. The discussion below highlights some of these action plans, and outlines the areas of challenge, risk, and opportunity on which management is focused.

Economic Environment

Domestic manufacturing activity in the first quarter of 2005 improved, up 5% from the prior year. The company originally anticipated domestic manufacturing growth between 3% and 6% for the year, and the current forecast is in about the middle of this range. The original estimate for semiconductor growth was in the range of 0-5%, with the current estimate at the low end of this range. Flat-panel sales continue to grow and the company expects to achieve its 30% growth rate.

Gases

The Gases segment demonstrated both sales and operating income growth in the first quarter. The company expects a strong year-on-year improvement for the full year.

Volume growth is expected, particularly in the EPI and Electronics businesses. In EPI, hydrogen volumes will continue to benefit from new plant capacity. Bidding activity remains high as refiners finalize projects to meet new fuel specifications. In Electronics, the company continued to see strong business activity broadly in the first quarter. Overall volume growth more than offset pricing declines. Average selling price declines are expected to continue from continued pricing pressures.

A national price increase was implemented over most North American liquid bulk products effective 1 November 2004. Higher energy costs have negatively impacted this business in the first quarter, and in addition to the price increases, the company is aggressively implementing surcharges in this business. New business signings rate has improved, and the quality of these signings indicates we are on-track for higher volumes and improved profitability for this business.

Growth is anticipated to continue in the Healthcare business, and spending on homecare acquisitions is estimated in the range of $75 to $100 for 2005. During the first quarter of 2005, the company acquired two U.S. homecare businesses for $42.

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Chemicals

Challenges in the Chemicals segment continued during the first quarter of 2005 as rising raw material costs again outpaced price increases. Chemicals segment results are expected to improve significantly during the remainder of 2005 as a result of seasonally stronger volumes and the company’s pricing actions.

Most of the increased raw material costs are in the company’s emulsions and amines businesses. The company is beginning to see success in passing raw material cost increases through to customers, but has not yet reached acceptable profit levels. The company has announced and will continue to implement price increases across most of its products. In December, the company began seeing the favorable impact of a long-term supply arrangement to purchase methanol for domestic methylamines production and reduce raw material cost volatility. This arrangement is now in place to contribute to profit improvement for the remainder of 2005.

Volumes will increase on higher demand for amines products which are driven by the agricultural season. The company also experiences seasonality in some other Chemical businesses, including emulsions and surfactants.

A long-term supplier of sulfuric acid, used in the production of dinitrotoluene (DNT), emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in June 2003. To facilitate the supplier’s ability to emerge from bankruptcy and to continue supplying product to the company, the company agreed to participate in the supplier’s financing and has continued to provide additional financing. Total loans to the supplier at 31 December 2004 were $58.3. If the supplier does not continue to operate, the sales and profitability of the Chemicals segment could be materially impacted because of the company’s inability to supply all of its customers’ base requirements. The company does not expect a material loss related to this supplier.

Equipment

During the first quarter of 2005, the company received two additional AP-X™ LNG heat exchanger orders, a new, proprietary technology that can significantly increase heat exchanger capacity. Sales backlog has increased and seven LNG heat exchangers remain in the sales backlog. The company anticipates profits for 2005 to more than double those achieved in 2004.

Selling and Administrative Expense

The company’s SAP project is focused on lowering transaction costs, which are mainly contained in S&A. The company now has the majority of its business on its new SAP system, has already identified ways to improve productivity, and is working to drive productivity in S&A spending.

Capital Expenditures

The company will maintain discipline in its capital spending. Capital expenditures for new plant and equipment are expected to be in the range of $900 to $950 in 2005, slightly higher than the initial forecast for 2005. The increase is primarily due to HYCO franchise opportunities. In addition, the company intends to continue to evaluate acquisition opportunities and investments in affiliated entities.

Productivity Initiatives

The company anticipates after-tax implementation costs of $.10 to $.15 per share to achieve productivity savings. Productivity initiatives are expected to remain on track to drive margin improvement.

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash Flow

The narrative below refers to the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows included on page 6.

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities increased $149.6, or 73%. Net income increased by $35.0. The decrease in cash used for working capital of $127.8 was due to the timing of normal payments and accruals.

Investing Activities

Cash used for investing activities increased $88.5, due primarily to higher acquisitions and additions to plant and equipment. Acquisitions in 2005, totaling $45.1, principally included two U.S. homecare businesses. In 2004, the company acquired a U.S. homecare business for $25.9.

Capital expenditures are detailed in the following table:

     
                 
 
    Three Months Ended  
    31 December  
    2004     2003  
 
Additions to plant and equipment
  $ 216.1     $ 152.3  
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates
    3.5       2.2  
Acquisitions, less cash acquired
    45.1       25.9  
Capital leases
    2.1       .7  
 
 
  $ 266.8     $ 181.1  
 

Financing Activities

Cash provided by financing activities was $25.4 in 2005, compared with cash used for financing activities of $20.6 in 2004. The $46.0 variance is due principally to the 2004 net decrease in commercial paper and short-term borrowings.

Total debt at 31 December 2004 and 30 September 2004, expressed as a percentage of the sum of total debt, shareholders’ equity, and minority interest, was 34% and 34%, respectively. Total debt increased from $2,393.7 at 30 September 2004 to $2,565.2 at 31 December 2004, due to the impact of a weaker U.S. dollar on the translation of foreign currency debt and the issuance of $50.0 of U.S. Industrial Revenue Bonds.

The company’s total multicurrency revolving facility, maturing in December 2008, amounted to $700 at 31 December 2004. No borrowings were outstanding under these commitments. Additional commitments totaling $56.0 are maintained by the company’s foreign subsidiaries, of which $15.0 was utilized at 31 December 2004.

At 31 December 2004, the company’s outstanding debt included $382.5 for a 6% Eurobond maturing in 2005 classified as long-term debt because of the company’s ability to refinance the debt under its existing committed lines of credit. The company’s intention is to refinance this 6% Eurobond on a long-term basis via the U.S. or European public debt markets.

The estimated fair value of the company’s long-term debt, including current portion, as of 31 December 2004 is $2,623.6, compared to a book value of $2,531.9.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

The company is obligated to make future payments under various contracts such as debt agreements, lease agreements, unconditional purchase obligations and other long-term obligations. There have been no material changes to contractual obligations as reflected in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis in the company’s 2004 annual report on Form 10-K.

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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

In the normal course of business the company has commitments, lawsuits, contingent liabilities and claims. The company is also party to certain guarantee and warranty agreements. However, the company does not expect that any sum it may have to pay in connection with these matters will have a materially adverse effect on its consolidated financial condition, liquidity or results of operations. Refer to Note 19 to the consolidated financial statements in the company’s 2004 annual report on Form 10-K and the Commitment and Contingencies note in this quarterly filing.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

There have been no material changes to off-balance sheet arrangements as reflected in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis in the company’s 2004 annual report on Form 10-K. The company’s off-balance sheet arrangements are not reasonably likely to have a material impact on financial condition, changes in financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The company’s principal related parties are equity affiliates operating in industrial gas and chemicals businesses. The company did not engage in any material transactions involving related parties that included terms or other aspects that differ from those which would be negotiated at arm’s length with clearly independent parties.

MARKET RISKS AND SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS

Information on the company’s utilization of financial instruments and an analysis of the sensitivity of these instruments to selected changes in market rates and prices is included in the company’s 2004 annual report on Form 10-K. For foreign currency exchange risk, the sensitivity analysis assumes an instantaneous 10% change in the foreign currency exchange rates with all other variables (including interest rates) held constant. A 10% strengthening of the functional currency of an entity versus all other currencies would result in a decrease of $219 and $199 in the net liability position of financial instruments at 31 December 2004 and 30 September 2004, respectively. A 10% weakening of the functional currency of an entity versus all other currencies would result in an increase of $211 and $197 in the net liability position of financial instruments at 31 December 2004 and 30 September 2004, respectively.

There was no material change to market risk sensitivity for interest rate risk since 30 September 2004.

The net financial instrument position of the company increased from a liability of $2,531.4 at 30 September 2004 to a liability of $2,780.9 at 31 December 2004, primarily due to the issuance of additional long-term debt and the impact of a weaker U.S. Dollar on the translation of foreign currency debt and the market value of foreign exchange forward contracts and interest rate and currency swaps.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of the company’s financial condition and results of operations is based on the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes that have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

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The significant accounting policies of the company are described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements and the critical accounting policies and estimates are described in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis included in the 2004 annual report on Form 10-K. Information concerning the company’s implementation and impact of new accounting standards issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) is included in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. There have been no other changes in accounting policy in the current period that had a material impact on the company’s financial condition, change in financial condition, liquidity or results of operations.

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

In November 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 151, “Inventory Costs, an amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4,” to clarify the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs and spoilage. In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 153, “Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets, an amendment of APB Opinion No. 29.” The amendments made by SFAS No. 153 are based on the principle that exchanges of nonmonetary assets should be measured based on the fair value of the assets exchanged. SFAS No. 153 eliminates the narrow exception from fair value measurement for nonmonetary exchanges of similar productive assets and replaces it with a broader exception for exchanges of nonmonetary assets that do not have commercial substance. In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment,” (SFAS No. 123R) which requires companies to expense the grant-date fair value of employee stock options.

In December 2004, the FASB issued a FASB Staff Position (FSP) No. FAS 109-1, “Application of FASB Statement No.109, Accounting for Income Taxes, to the Tax Deduction on Qualified Production Activities Provided by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the Act).” FSP FAS 109-1 clarifies that the tax deduction for manufacturers provided for in the Act should be accounted for as a special deduction rather than as a tax rate reduction. In December 2004, the FASB also issued FSP No. FAS 109-2, “Accounting and Disclosure Guidance for the Foreign Earnings Repatriation Provision within the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.” The Act provides a one-time special dividends deduction on the repatriation of certain foreign earnings. FSP FAS 109-2 provides additional time for the company to evaluate the impact of the Act in applying SFAS No. 109.

See the notes to the consolidated financial statements for information concerning the company’s implementation and impact of these new standards.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The forward-looking statements contained in this document are based on current expectations regarding important risk factors. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed. Factors that might cause forward-looking statements to differ materially from actual results include those specifically referenced as future events or outcomes that the company anticipates, as well as, among other things, overall economic and business conditions different than those currently anticipated and demand for the company’s goods and services during that time; competitive factors in the industries in which it competes; interruption in ordinary sources of supply; the ability to recover unanticipated increased energy and raw material costs from customers; uninsured litigation judgments or settlements; spikes in the pricing of natural gas; changes in government regulations; consequences of acts of war or terrorism impacting the United States’ and other markets; charges related to currently unplanned portfolio management and cost reduction actions; the success of implementing cost reduction programs; the timing, impact, and other uncertainties of future acquisitions or divestitures; significant fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currencies from that currently anticipated; the impact of tax and other legislation and regulations in jurisdictions in which the company and its affiliates operate; the impact of new financial accounting standards, including the expensing of employee stock options; and the timing and rate at which tax credits can be utilized.

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Refer to the Market Risks and Sensitivity Analysis on page 22 of Item 2 in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the company’s management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of 31 December 2004. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures have been effective. As previously disclosed, the company is in the midst of an SAP implementation. As a result, certain changes have been made to the company’s internal control structure, in connection with the SAP implementation, which management believes will strengthen their internal control structure. There have been no other significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of such evaluation.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

                 
Item 6.
          Exhibits.    
 
               
    Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K
 
               
    10.1     Form of Award Agreement under the Long Term Incentive Plan for FY2005 Awards.    
 
               
    10.2     Compensation Program for Directors of the Company, Effective 1 October 2004.    
 
               
    10.3     Description of Performance Criteria Under the Annual Incentive Plan of the Company.    
 
               
    12.       Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges.    
 
               
    31.1     Certification by the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.    
 
               
    31.2     Certification by the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.    
 
               
    32.       Certification by the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.    

25


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

         
      Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
       
       
      (Registrant)
 
       
 
       
Date: 8 February 2005
  By:   /s/ Paul E. Huck
       
      Paul E. Huck
      Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

26


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

10.1   Form of Award Agreement under the Long Term Incentive Plan for FY2005 Awards.
 
10.2   Compensation Program for Directors of the Company, Effective 1 October 2004.
 
10.3 Description of Performance Criteria Under the Annual Incentive Plan of the Company.
   
12.   Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
 
31.1   Certification by the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
31.2   Certification by the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
32.   Certification by the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

27

EX-10.1:
 

Exhibit 10.1

10 December 2004

«Name»
«Addr1»
«Addr2»
«Addr3»
«Addr4»

Long-Term Incentive Plan - Fiscal Year 2005 Awards

Dear «Nickname»:

One of the priorities of our Management Compensation Program is to provide you with the opportunity to share in the long-term success of Air Products. You play an important role in the present and future performance of our Company. As a result of your performance during the past year, I am pleased to present your 2005 stock awards under the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Program.

As in the past, our long-term incentive awards recognize your contributions to the business, align individual goals and performance with shareholder interests and the longer-term Company focus, and provide you with a competitive pay opportunity. Your 2005 awards include:

•   A Nonstatutory Stock Option to purchase «Nqo_Grnt» shares of Common Stock at a purchase price of $54.17 per share, which is 100% of the 1 October 2004 Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock.

•   An award of «Nqo_Grnt» Restricted Shares of Company Common Stock issued to you as of 4 October 2004; and

•   «Nqo_Grnt» Deferred Stock Units for the Cycle 1A performance period, «Nqo_Grnt» Deferred Stock Units for the Cycle 1B performance period, and «Nqo_Grnt» Deferred Stock Units for the Cycle 1C performance period, each Unit (a “Performance Share”) being equivalent in value to one share of common Stock (see Exhibit D).

We are committed to offering long-term incentive awards for our employees who contribute to our success — both now and in the future. Thank you again for your dedication and on-going contributions to Air Products.

 


 

Your 2005 Awards are subject to and contingent upon your agreement to the conditions described in Paragraph 17 of Exhibit 1 (the “Conditions”). In order for your 2005 Awards to become effective, please countersign this letter, make a copy for your records, and return the original of the letter in the enclosed envelope to Jim Bell, Manager of Compensation, by 17 January 2005 in acknowledgment of your agreement to the Conditions.

This letter, together with its Exhibit, constitutes the agreement governing your 2005 Awards (this “Awards Agreement”). Your 2005 Awards are also at all times subject to the applicable provisions of the Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and to any determinations made by the Management Development and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (or its delegate) with respect to your 2005 Awards as contemplated or permitted by the Plan or the Conditions. In addition, the Committee has established a one-year holding period for a portion of your Nonstatutory Stock Option. You are expected to hold, for one year, 50% of the net shares (after taxes and commissions) that you receive upon an exercise of the Stock Option.

Neither your 2005 Awards, this Awards Agreement or the Plan constitute a contract of employment, nor do they guarantee your continued employment for any period required for all or any of your 2005 Awards to vest or become exercisable, or to be earned or paid out. Except as otherwise indicated all capitalized words used in this Awards Agreement have the meanings described in the Plan.

WITNESSETH the due execution of this Awards Agreement at Allentown, Pennsylvania effective as of the 1st day of October 2004 intending to be legally bound hereby.

         
    AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
 
       
 
       
  By:    
     
                John P. Jones III

ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED this

_____ day of ____________________, 200__.

_____________________________________

      «Name»

Exhibit

 


 

EXHIBIT I

AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
FY2005 AWARDS AGREEMENT

1.   As described in the foregoing grant letter, you are hereby granted FY2005 Awards consisting of Stock Options (“Options”), shares of Company Common Stock (“Restricted Shares”), and Deferred Stock Units to be called “Performance Shares” under the Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. Long Term Incentive Plan as amended and restated on January 23, 2003 (the “Plan”). The Options are “Nonstatutory Stock Options” as described in Section 6 of the Plan. The Restricted Shares are described in Section 8 of the Plan. The Deferred Stock Units are described in Section 9 of the Plan. The Management Development and Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors has approved these Awards subject to the applicable provisions of the Plan and the terms of this Agreement, and contingent upon your execution of this Agreement. All capitalized terms used in this Agreement have the meaning ascribed to them in the Plan.

2.   Each Option entitles you to purchase one share of Common Stock (“Share”) at a purchase price of $54.17 as described below. You can first purchase Shares as follows: (i) up to one-third of the Shares may be purchased on or after 1 October 2005 and (ii) up to an additional one-third of such Shares may be purchased on or after 1 October 2006 and 2007, respectively. The Options cannot be exercised with respect to fractional Shares, and, accordingly, the number of Shares will be rounded down to the nearest Share on the first two of the foregoing dates and up to the nearest Share on the third such date to eliminate fractional Shares. The Options were granted on 1 October 2004 and will continue for a period of ten (10) years and one day from such grant date and will expire and no longer be exercisable on 2 October 2014.

3.   You may purchase Shares by delivering to the Company, at its principal offices in Allentown, Pennsylvania, written notice of exercise of the Option on forms to be provided by the Company and the full purchase price of the Shares. Payment of the purchase price may be made in cash, by the delivery of an irrevocable exercise notice coupled with irrevocable instructions to a designated broker to simultaneously sell the Shares and deliver to the Company on the settlement date the portion of the proceeds representing the purchase price and any taxes to be withheld, or by delivery or attestation of ownership of other shares of Common Stock owned by you. Payment of any taxes required to be withheld at the time of exercise may be made in cash (including from a broker on the settlement date) or by having the number of Shares acquired in the exercise reduced by an amount equal in value to the amount of such taxes required to be withheld.

 


 

4.   Your Options terminate as of the close of business on the last day of your employment with the Company or a Subsidiary, unless your employment ends due to your death, Disability or Retirement. However, Options which have been held for less than one year from the date of grant terminate when employment ends for any reason. Upon your, death, Disability or Retirement on or after 30 September 2005, any unexercisable portion of the Options will be extended for the remaining term of the award (that is, will become vested and be exercisable) as if you have continued to be an active employee of the Company or a Subsidiary.

5.   In the event of a Change in Control, the Options become exercisable on the later of the Change in Control or the first date more than six months from grant. Further, during the 30-day period following a Change in Control, Options may be surrendered for payment of 100% of the “spread” between the value of the Shares (as defined in Section 11(a)(A) of the Plan), and the purchase price.

6.   Options are nonassignable and nontransferable except to your Designated Beneficiary, by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, or by gift to family members or to trusts of which only family members are beneficiaries. Transfers by gift can be made only after the Option has become exercisable and subject to such administrative procedures and to such restrictions and conditions as the officers of the Company shall determine to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan and the interests of the Company and/or to be necessary or appropriate for compliance with all applicable tax and other legal requirements. Subject to the foregoing, you may transfer Options by gift only by delivering to the Company at its principal offices in Allentown, Pennsylvania, written notice of the intent to transfer the Options on forms to be provided by the Company.

7.   The Restricted Shares shall be issued to you, contingent upon your execution of this Agreement, as of 4 October 2004. Upon issuance of the Restricted Shares, you shall have all the rights of a shareholder with respect to the Restricted Shares, including the right to vote such Restricted Shares and receive all dividends or other distributions paid with respect to the Restricted Shares, subject only to the restrictions contained in Paragraph 8 below. In the event of any change in the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company or the occurrence of certain other events described in Section 12 of the Plan, an equitable adjustment of the number of Restricted Shares covered by this Agreement shall be made consistent with the impact of such change or event upon the rights of the Company’s other shareholders, and any additional shares of Common Stock issued to you as a result of such adjustment shall be Restricted Shares subject to this Agreement, including, without limitation, the restrictions contained in Paragraph 8.

8.   The “Restriction Period” with respect to the Restricted Shares shall be the period beginning 4 October 2004 and ending upon the earliest of your death,

 


 

    Disability, Retirement or a Change in Control of the Company. During the Restriction Period, the Restricted Shares may not be sold, assigned, transferred, encumbered, or otherwise disposed of by you; provided however, that upon your exercise of Stock Options, such Restricted Shares may be used to pay the purchase price by attestation, with the stipulation that the Restricted Shares attested will remain subject to the restrictions of this Paragraph 8 and the terms of this Agreement. If your employment by the Company and all its Subsidiaries is terminated for any reason prior to October 1, 2005, or for any reason other than death, Disability or Retirement after September 30, 2005, the Restricted Shares shall be returned to the Company and forfeited in their entirety; provided that, in the event of a Change in Control of the Company, your rights to the Restricted Shares shall become immediately transferable and nonforfeitable.
 
9.   At the end of the Restriction Period, and, if earlier, upon your election to include the value of the Restricted Shares in your federal taxable income pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 83(b), payment of taxes required to be withheld by the Company must be made. When taxation occurs at the end of the Restriction Period, applicable taxes will be withheld by reducing the number of the Restricted Shares issued to you by an amount equal in market value to the taxes required to be withheld. In the event you make a section 83(b) election, applicable taxes must be paid in cash to the Company at the time the election is filed with the Internal Revenue Service.
 
10.   In the event your employment is terminated due to your death on or after September 30, 2005, the Restricted Shares shall be transferred free of restriction, net of any applicable taxes, to your Designated Beneficiary or, if none, to your legal representative.
 
11.   The Performance Shares granted to you will be divided into three portions to be earned over three separate performance cycles as follows: (A) the Cycle 1A award and shall be earned at the percentage indicated on the attached Schedule for the level of Operating Return on Net Assets (“ORONA”) achieved for one year performance cycle ending September 30, 2005; (B) the Cycle 1B award and shall be earned at the percentage indicated on the attached Schedule for the level of average annual ORONA achieved for a two year performance cycle ending September 30, 2006 ; and (C) the Cycle 1C award and shall be earned at the percentage indicated on the attached Schedule for the level of average annual ORONA achieved for a three year performance cycle ending September 30, 2007. Subject to the forfeiture conditions contained in Paragraph 12, each earned Performance Share will entitle you to receive, at the end of the Deferral Period (as defined below), a payment equal to the value of one share of Company Common Stock.
 
12.   The Deferral Period will begin on the date of this Agreement and will end on the respective date your Performance Shares are paid as described in Paragraph 13. If your employment by the Company and all its affiliates is

 


 

    terminated for any reason prior to 1 October 2005, all your Performance Shares will be automatically forfeited in their entirety. If your employment by the Company and all its affiliates terminates after 30 September 2005 other than due to death, Disability or Retirement, you will forfeit all of your Performance Shares for which the performance cycle is not completed. If your employment by the Company and all its affiliates is terminated after 30 September 2005 due to death, Disability, or Retirement, you will forfeit a pro-rata portion of your earned Cycle 1B Performance Shares if your employment is terminated before 1 October 2006 and/or a pro rata portion of your earned Cycle 1C Performance Shares if your employment is terminated before 1 October 2007, which portion in each case shall be based on the number of full months you worked following the grant date.
 
13.   Performance Shares earned and not forfeited for each performance cycle shall be paid as follows, in each case as soon as administratively practical after the due date: one-half shall be paid in a cash payment at the end of the applicable performance cycle which shall be equal to the Fair Market Value, as of the last day of the performance cycle, of the number of shares of Company Common Stock representing half of the Performance Shares earned; and the remaining half of the earned Performance Shares shall be paid in shares of Company Common Stock (“Deferred Shares”) at the end of the two-year period following the end of the performance cycle. No portion of the Deferred Shares will be distributed to you if you terminate employment by the Company and all its affiliates prior to the end of the Deferral Period other than due to death, Disability, or Retirement. No cash dividends or other amounts shall be payable with respect to the Performance Shares during the Deferral Period. If your employment by the Company and all affiliates is terminated during the Deferral Period due to death, Disability, or Retirement, your earned Deferred Shares will be paid as follows: Deferred Shares for which the performance cycle is complete will be paid on the earlier of the date they would have been paid if you remained employed or six months after your employment terminates, and Deferred Shares for which the performance cycle is not complete will be paid on the later of six months after the termination of your employment or the completion of the performance cycle. At the end of the Deferral Period for each earned and nonforfeited Performance Share, the Company will also pay to you, an additional cash payment equal to the dividends which would have been paid on a share of Common Stock during the Deferral Period, net of applicable taxes. Additional information regarding a voluntary election to defer the payout of your earned Performance Shares will be sent to you in a future communication.
 
14.   If your employment by the Company or a Subsidiary terminates during the Deferral Period due to death, payment in respect of earned Performance Shares that are not forfeited and of related Dividend Equivalents shall be made to your Designated Beneficiary or, if none, your legal representative.

 


 

15.   Following or in connection with a Change in Control, all outstanding Performance Shares, together with any Dividend Equivalents for the period for which such Performance Shares have been outstanding, shall be paid in accordance with Section 11(e) of the Plan.
 
16.   In the event of any change in the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company or the occurrence of certain other events as described in Section 12 of the Plan, an equitable adjustment of the number of Performance Shares covered by this Agreement shall be made as provided in the Plan.
 
17.   Notwithstanding the above, your FY2005 Awards are granted subject to forfeiture for breach of the following conditions (“Conditions”):

  (i)   You continue to comply with the terms of your employee patent and trade secret agreement and with all other agreements with, and obligations and duties to, the Company and any of its subsidiaries and affiliates (hereafter, together, the “Company”), and refrain from conducting yourself in a manner adversely affecting the Company;

  (ii)   Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, while employed by the Company and for two years following your separation from service with the Company for any reason, you

  •   Refrain from engaging in any activity in competition with the Company, whether as an officer, director, employee, consultant, advisor, agent, broker, independent contractor, partner, shareholder, or principal of any corporation, partnership, proprietorship, firm, association, person or other entity;

  •   Refrain from undertaking any employment or activity wherein the fulfillment of your duties would call upon you to reveal, to make judgments on, or otherwise to use any “confidential information” of the Company;

  •   Refrain from directly or indirectly, either for yourself or for any other person, diverting or taking away or attempting to divert or take away (or calling on or soliciting or attempting to call on or solicit) any of the Company’s customers or patrons, including but not limited to those upon whom you called or whom you solicited or with whom you became acquainted while employed by the Company; and

  •   Refrain from directly or indirectly or by action in concert with others, inducing or influencing (or seeking to induce or influence) any person who is engaged (as an employee, agent, independent contractor, or otherwise) by the Company to terminate his or her employment or engagement.

 


 

    If, in the Committee’s sole discretion, it is determined that you have breached any of the foregoing Conditions, after notice by registered mail directed to your last known address, all of your outstanding awards under the Plan, including any unexercised Options and any Restricted Shares which are still subject to restriction will be completely terminated. Notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, following or in connection with a Change in Control, the foregoing Conditions shall lapse and be of no further force or effect.
 
18.   Neither your FY2005 Awards, this Award Agreement, nor the Plan constitute a contract of employment; nor do they guarantee your continued employment for any period required for all or any of your Options to vest or become exercisable.

 


 

ATTACHMENT I

ORONA Performance Schedule

The following schedule will be used to determine the earnout for each of the three cycles of the fiscal year 2005 Performance Share award.

     
ORONA   Earnout Factor
12%
  200%
11%
  100%
10.5%
  50%
10%
  35% subject to further reduction at
 
  the discretion of the MD&CC

 

EX-10.2:
 

Exhibit 10.2

(LOGO)

Compensation Program for Nonemployee Directors

a.   Each director continuing in office after the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, effective as of the day of the Annual Meeting, shall be granted the right and option to purchase up to 2,000 shares of Common Stock of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. under the Stock Option Program for Directors (formerly the Stock Option Plan for Directors) which is provided under the Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).

b.   Each director shall be paid an annual retainer of $40,000 for serving as a member of the Board of Directors and any Board Committee(s), which retainer shall be payable in quarterly installments at the end of each quarter. Fifty percent of this retainer will be paid by the Company in the form of a credit to the directors’ Air Products Stock Account and converted to deferred stock units under the Deferred Compensation Program for Directors (formerly the Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors) which is provided under the Plan.

c.   Each director who serves as the Chairman of a Board Committee shall be paid an additional annual retainer of $7,500, which retainer shall be payable in quarterly installments.

d.   Each director shall be paid a meeting fee of $1,500 per meeting attended.*/

e.   One thousand one hundred deferred stock units shall be credited to each director’s Air Products Stock Account under the Deferred Compensation Program for Directors (i) effective as of the date the director first serves on the

 


 

    Board, and (ii) annually, notwithstanding the date of first service, for directors continuing in office after the Annual Meeting of Shareholders effective as of the day of the Annual Meeting.

f.   Directors shall be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending regular and special meetings of the Board and Board Committees and any other business function of the Company at the request of the Chairman of the Board. Expenses will be reimbursed as submitted.**/

*/   For purposes of administering these provisions, a director will be considered to have attended any meeting for which he or she was present in person or by secure telephone conference call for substantially all of the meeting, as determined by the Corporate Secretary. Members of the Audit Committee who participate with management and/or the independent auditors to review such things as quarterly earnings releases and registration statements as required by law or listing standard will also receive the meeting fee. Directors who meet with a constituent or other third party on behalf of the Company and at the request of the Chief Executive Officer will also receive the meeting fee.

**/   Directors are reimbursed at the rate of $.40 per mile or such rate as is published by the Internal Revenue Service for use of their personal cars in connection with Company business. Directors using personal aircraft or aircraft of noncarrier will be reimbursed for such expenses at a rate equivalent to first-class air fare of scheduled carriers.

G-2

EX-10.3:
 

Exhibit 10.3

Description of Performance Criteria
Under the Annual Incentive Plan of the Company

The following is a description of certain terms of the Air Products and Chemicals Annual Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) provided pursuant to paragraph 10(iii) of Item 601 of Regulation S-K, which requires a written description of material terms and conditions of a compensatory plan not contained in a formal document.

The Management Development and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company has determined that bonuses under the Plan for the fiscal year will be payable based on a formula that takes into account growth in earnings per share and return on equity. The maximum bonus pool for the fiscal year is determined according to the formula. The Committee may determine to adjust awards downward.

EX-12:
 

Exhibit 12

AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(Unaudited)

                                                 
                                            Three  
                                            Months  
                                            Ended  
    Year Ended 30 September     31 Dec  
    2000     2001     2002     2003     2004     2004  
Earnings:
                                               
Income from continuing operations
  $ 124.2     $ 465.6     $ 525.4     $ 400.2     $ 604.1     $ 166.8  
 
                                               
Add (deduct):
                                               
Provision for income taxes
    (7.5 )     196.2       247.5       154.0       232.5       66.9  
 
                                               
Fixed charges, excluding capitalized interest
    232.6       226.5       150.3       150.6       149.3       35.3  
 
                                               
Capitalized interest amortized during the period
    6.6       7.1       7.2       6.5       9.1       1.6  
 
                                               
Undistributed earnings of less-than-fifty-percent-owned affiliates
    (32.1 )     (34.3 )     (42.8 )     (2.6 )     (31.1 )     (3.2 )
 
                                   
 
                                               
Earnings, as adjusted
  $ 323.8     $ 861.1     $ 887.6     $ 708.7     $ 963.9     $ 267.4  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Fixed Charges:
                                               
 
                                               
Interest on indebtedness, including capital lease obligations
  $ 210.3     $ 201.6     $ 126.4     $ 126.9     $ 124.4     $ 28.0  
 
                                               
Capitalized interest
    19.7       8.8       11.7       6.2       7.9       3.7  
 
                                               
Amortization of debt discount premium and expense
    3.1       5.6       2.2       2.1       1.4       1.5  
 
                                               
Portion of rents under operating leases representative of the interest factor
    19.3       19.3       21.7       21.6       23.5       5.8  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Fixed charges
  $ 252.4     $ 235.3     $ 162.0     $ 156.8     $ 157.2     $ 39.0  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (1):
    1.3       3.7       5.5       4.5       6.1       6.9  
 
                                   


(1)   The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is determined by dividing earnings, which includes income before taxes, undistributed earnings of less than fifty percent owned affiliates, and fixed charges, by fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest on all indebtedness plus that portion of operating lease rentals representative of the interest factor (deemed to be 21% of operating lease rentals).

EX-31.1:
 

Exhibit 31.1

PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S CERTIFICATION

I, John P. Jones III, certify that:

  1.   I have reviewed this quarterly report on form 10-Q of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.;
 
  2.   Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
  3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
  4.   The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

  5.   The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s

 


 

Exhibit 31.1

auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: 8 February 2005

/s/ John P. Jones III
John P. Jones III
Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer

 

EX-31.2:
 

Exhibit 31.2

PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER’S CERTIFICATION

I, Paul E. Huck, certify that:

  1.   I have reviewed this quarterly report on form 10-Q of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.;
 
  2.   Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
  3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
  4.   The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

  5.   The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s

 


 

Exhibit 31.2

auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: 8 February 2005

/s/ Paul E. Huck
Paul E. Huck
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

EX-32:
 

Exhibit 32

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

     In connection with the Quarterly Report of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ending 31 December 2004, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), we, John P. Jones III, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Paul E. Huck, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

  1.   The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
 
  2.   The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
         
Dated: 8 February 2005   /s/ John P. Jones III    
       
  John P. Jones III    
  Chief Executive Officer    
         
  /s/ Paul E. Huck    
       
  Paul E. Huck    
  Chief Financial Officer