Airgas to Build New Air Separation Unit Production Facility in Mebane, N.C.

RADNOR, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Airgas USA, LLC, an Air Liquide company today announced plans to build
a new air separation unit (ASU) in Mebane, N.C. The facility will
increase Airgas’ production capabilities in North Carolina’s Research
Triangle area while also strengthening its East Coast merchant gases
network.

The new facility is expected to be on-stream in 2019 and will produce
oxygen, nitrogen and argon for use in customer applications such as
metal fabrication, blanketing and purging, combustion, chilling and
freezing. In addition, the ASU will produce medical grade oxygen to
supply to hospitals, nursing homes and research laboratories as well as
food and pharmaceutical grade nitrogen.

The ASU will support the region’s bulk gas market and enhance the
company’s gas supply chain, to help ensure long-term reliability of
supply for its merchant, packaged and on-site gas customers.

Pascal Vinet, Chief Executive Officer of Airgas and Air Liquide
Executive Committee Vice President, said: “Airgas continues to
expand its gas production and distribution capabilities throughout the
U.S. and looks forward to meeting the growing needs of gas customers in
the thriving North Carolina market and throughout the region. We look
forward to working closely with the Mebane community and the state of
North Carolina to bring new opportunities and growth for many years to
come."

Roy Cooper, Governor of North Carolina, said: “These good-paying
jobs are coming to Alamance County because we have the talent and the
resources needed to succeed. New jobs and investment help us make North
Carolina a place where people can become happier, healthier and have
more money in their pockets.”

About Airgas

Airgas, an Air Liquide company, is the leading U.S. supplier of
industrial, medical and specialty gases, as well as hardgoods and
related products; one of the largest U.S. suppliers of safety products;
and a leading U.S. supplier of ammonia products and process chemicals.

Dedicated to improving the performance of its more than 1 million
customers, Airgas safely and reliably provides products, services and
expertise through its more than 18,000 associates, over 1,100 locations,
robust e-Business platform, and Airgas Total Access telesales channel.

As an Air Liquide company, the world leader in gases, technology and
services for Industry and Health, Airgas offers customers an unrivaled
global footprint and industry leading technology and innovations.

For more information, please visit www.airgas.com.

The world leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and
Health, Air Liquide is present in 80 countries with approximately 65,000
employees and serves more than 3 million customers and patients. Oxygen,
nitrogen and hydrogen are essential small molecules for life, matter and
energy. They embody Air Liquide’s scientific territory and have been at
the core of the company’s activities since its creation in 1902.

Air Liquide’s ambition is to lead its industry, deliver long term
performance and contribute to sustainability. The company’s
customer-centric transformation strategy aims at profitable growth over
the long term. It relies on operational excellence, selective
investments, open innovation and a network organization implemented by
the Group worldwide. Through the commitment and inventiveness of its
people, Air Liquide leverages energy and environment transition, changes
in healthcare and digitization, and delivers greater value to all its
stakeholders.

Air Liquide’s revenue amounted to € 18.1 billion in 2016 and its
solutions that protect life and the environment represented more than
40% of sales. Air Liquide is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange
(compartment A) and belongs to the CAC 40, EURO STOXX 50 and FTSE4Good
indexes.

Contacts

Airgas Communications
Kim Menard, +1 610-902-6233
or
Air
Liquide U.S. Communications
Michael Rosen, +1 713-624-8023