Air Liquide America L.P. announces price increases for helium and rare gases

Air Liquide America L.P. announces price increases for bulk and packaged helium, krypton and xenon. These increases will be effective immediately or according to the terms of customer contracts.

Prices will be increased effective immediately as allowed by customer contracts as follows:

Bulk and packaged helium prices will increase an average of 30% percent.
Krypton: 50%.
Cylinder rental: 6%.
Xenon: Variable by contract.
Monthly facility fees for tanks and trailers: between 30 and 50 percent; dependent upon customer installation, current pricing and contract terms.

Commented Kim Denney, president of Air Liquide America L.P., “The worldwide shortage of helium and other rare gases attributed to rapidly growing demand has increased the cost of supply, and need for new investment at unprecedented rates. We expect these market conditions to continue for the next several years.”

The price increases are necessary due to rising raw product sourcing, energy costs, in addition to supporting investments in production, transporting and storage facilities. Xenon is currently experiencing an extreme shortage of supply.

Air Liquide America L.P. is the subsidiary of American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc. responsible for providing packaged and specialty gases and a variety of value-added services to a wide range of customers in the U.S. both directly and through its ALNET distribution network. American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc. is the subsidiary of Air Liquide Group responsible for its North American operations.

With more than 38,000 employees in 72 countries, Air Liquide is a world leader in industrial and medical gases and related services. The Group offers innovative solutions based on constantly enhanced technologies and produces air gases (oxygen, nitrogen, argon, rare gases…) and many other gases including hydrogen. The Group contributes to the manufacturing of many everyday products: bubbles in sparkling beverages, protective atmosphere for packed foods, oxygen for hospitals and homecare patients, ultra-pure gases for the semiconductor industry, hydrogen to desulfurize fuels...

Air Liquide is committed to sustainable development and helps to protect life. Founded in 1902, Air Liquide has successfully developed a long-term relationship with its shareholders built on trust and transparency and guided by the principles of corporate governance. Since the publication of its first consolidated financial statements in 1971, Air Liquide has posted strong and steady earnings growth. Sales in 2006 totaled 10,949 million euros, with sales outside France accounting for almost 80%. Air Liquide is listed on the Paris stock exchange and is a component of the CAC 40 and Eurostoxx 50 indices (ISIN code FR 0000120073).