LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., March 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Air Products (NYSE: APD) today announced it has signed an agreement with Transport for London to help bring hydrogen technology to the roads of London. This agreement includes the supply of hydrogen fuel and a dedicated fueling station for the 10 hydrogen powered buses, which form a central part of London's hydrogen transport program. The hydrogen powered buses will be operating on London's roads by 2010.

Air Products will provide Transport for London and the bus operator with access to the latest technology in hydrogen production, transportation, storage, compression and vehicle dispensing technology.

At an event to celebrate the signing of the agreement held at London City Hall, Richard Boocock, vice president, Tonnage Gases Europe & Middle East, said, 'We are very proud to become part of the team delivering one of the most significant investments in hydrogen technology and transportation in Europe. Air Products is the world's leading provider of hydrogen fuel and dispensing infrastructure, having already installed over 75 fueling stations and been involved in over 45,000 vehicle fuelings across the world. We are delighted to be able to bring this experience and expertise to London and the hydrogen transport program. We are confident that this project will allow London to lead the pack of environmental world cities as we move towards a greener future and make London a cleaner, healthier place to live, travel and work.'

Mike Weston, operations director for London Buses at Transport for London, said, 'We believe hydrogen has an important role to play in helping reduce the impact of public transport on the environment. These buses produce substantially fewer emissions of carbon dioxide and other pollutants than diesel buses -- in the case of fuel cell buses, they produce no pollution at all at the point of use, thus helping to clean up the Capital's air.'

Air Products is the world's largest supplier of merchant hydrogen, including distributing and handling hydrogen at Air Products' own facilities, on the road, transported via pipeline, and at customer facilities. The company safely operates over 60 gaseous and liquid hydrogen production plants and seven hydrogen pipeline systems totaling over 300 miles. Air Products provides all modes of hydrogen supply -- gaseous, liquid and onsite generation, as well as providing engineering expertise in hydrogen application integration.

Air Products has placed over 75 fueling stations on-stream in 12 countries, including for mass transit fueling in Beijing, China for buses to be used to shuttle athletes and visitors for the 2008 Olympic Games. In Europe, Air Products supplies hydrogen fueling equipment to various automotive companies as well as the Hellenic and German navies to regularly fuel their submarines.

Over 45,000 vehicle fuelings have already taken place using Air Products' technology. As the world's largest supplier of merchant hydrogen, Air Products is a leader in the development of the hydrogen infrastructure necessary to fuel hydrogen fuel cell and hydrogen internal combustion engine automobiles, HCNG (hydrogen/compressed natural gas) vehicles, and hydrogen powered forklifts, lift trucks and automated guided vehicles in the developing materials handling market. Air Products has an extensive patent portfolio with over 50 patents in hydrogen dispensing technology.

More information on Air Products' hydrogen fueling station technologies and activities can be found at http://www.airproducts.com/h2energy.

About Air Products

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 http://www.airproducts.com.

About Transport for London's Hydrogen Transport Program

The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, in November 2007 announced that 10 new hydrogen powered buses will join London's bus fleet by 2010. Transport for London has signed a contract with ISE -- an American company with a record of delivering hydrogen buses -- for five hydrogen fuel cell buses and five hydrogen internal combustion engine buses. This is one of the world's first commercial contracts for hydrogen buses. The vehicles will be operated by First on behalf of Transport for London.

In February 2006, the Mayor announced the London Hydrogen Transport Program, which aims to introduce 70 new hydrogen vehicles into London, of which 10 of these vehicles will be buses. Transport is responsible for 22 percent of London's emissions, and the Mayor's Climate Change Action plan sets a target for annual reductions. Hydrogen vehicles are clean and efficient, and it is expected that the 10 hydrogen hybrid buses will produce substantially fewer emissions of CO2 and other harmful air pollutants than a conventional diesel bus. For more details: http://www.london.gov.uk/lhp.

***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 (March 17, 2008 - 2:00 PM EDT)

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