A Center of Excellence Providing Asian Food Customers with Innovations and Technical Expertise

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., Feb. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Air Products (NYSE: APD), a pioneer of cryogenic food freezing and chilling technologies, today announced the grand opening of its Asia Food Technology Center at the Thailand Science Park in Bangkok. The Center has been established to provide innovative solutions and technical expertise to support the ever-increasing demands from the growing Asian food market.

By strategically locating its Asia Food Technology Center in Thailand, one of the world's leading food processing markets, Air Products can now work even closer to its Asian customers, to drive forward new food processing innovations. Air Products is also able to leverage cutting-edge microbiological and food science research capabilities within the Thailand Science Park and nearby universities.

'Our investment in the Asia Food Technology Center underscores the company's commitment to Asia and to the food processing market. To put our focus on where the market is, the Center enables Air Products to respond more quickly to the changing needs of our food customers, in which time-to-market and innovations are critical for their success,' said Ivo Bols, vice president and general manager of Merchant Gases, Air Products Asia.

On showcase at the center is a broad selection of Air Products' Freshline(TM) food preservation solutions which maintain the quality and freshness of foods. The Center also includes other facilities such as a laboratory kitchen and a cold storage room. The set up enables Air Products to work with customers to develop innovations and resolve issues which relate to maintaining high quality and freshness of a wide variety of food products. It also houses a state of the art training center, and is envisaged to be a Center of Excellence to serve food customers throughout the Asian region.

'Air Products has been serving the food industry globally for over 40 years. The food processing sector in Asia requires the support of unmatched industry experience, expertise and technical excellence to keep pace with its dynamic growth. By establishing its new Food Technology Center in Asia, Air Products has significantly enhanced its position as the premier food solutions provider to the food industry,' said Dr. Terrence Yee, regional director of applications, Air Products Asia.

The Asia Food Technology Center is integrated into the Air Products Global Advanced Technology network, complementing existing technical facilities in North America and Europe.

Air Products (NYSE: APD) serves customers in industrial, energy, technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and equipment and services. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment. Air Products has annual revenues of $10 billion, operations in over 40 countries, and 22,000 employees around the globe. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.

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

SOURCE Air Products

Source: PR Newswire (February 26, 2008 - 3:00 PM EST)

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