LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., Aug. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Air Products (NYSE: APD) new hydrogen fueling station at its Allentown, Pennsylvania headquarters today filled the hydrogen fuel cell vehicles of several automakers making their way across the country as part of a tour designed to demonstrate that hydrogen vehicle and fueling technologies are approaching commercial availability. The nationwide tour, which will be supported along the way by multiple Air Products hydrogen fueling technologies and stations, will make 31 stops in 18 states, stretching from Maine to California.

'Air Products is honored to be a stop on this United States cross country tour that will demonstrate that hydrogen, the fuel of the future, is here today,' said John McGlade, chairman, president and chief executive officer, to the assembled crowd of invited guests, media, and Air Products' employees. 'Air Products has been involved with hydrogen fueling projects for 15 years. We have been a leader in developing new hydrogen fueling capabilities, and have worked cooperatively with car manufacturers and others on these exciting advancements. We commend all those who organized and are involved with this national tour, and are pleased to have them as visitors to Air Products.'

Air Products has been involved with hydrogen fueling since 1993. Since that time, it has safely conducted over 66,000 fuelings of hydrogen powered vehicles at over 85 fueling stations located in 15 countries around the world.

'Today, while we were fueling cars in Allentown, we have also been fueling hydrogen powered buses to shuttle athletes and visitors at the Beijing Olympic Games where our fueling equipment is in operation. We were also fueling forklifts working 24/7 to move consumer products in and out of production lines and warehouses in the U.S. Additionally, somewhere around the world, deep under the sea, there may be a hydrogen powered submarine fueled with Air Products' hydrogen. Every day we are fueling cars, buses, vans, and other hydrogen powered items as part of important demonstration programs around the U.S. and the world,' said McGlade. Air Products is now averaging approximately 2,000 hydrogen fuelings per month.

Air Products was joined at the event by U.S. Department of Transportation officials, U.S. Congressman Charlie Dent, and California Fuel Cell Partnership officials who made brief comments about hydrogen technology and the nationwide tour. Vehicles from Daimler, Honda, Hyundai-Kia, Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen and BMW attended the Pennsylvania event, which included ride and drive opportunities for media and other attendees.

The overall tour participants include nine auto manufacturers, the U.S. Department of Energy, California Fuel Cell Partnership, National Hydrogen Association, and U.S. Department of Transportation, as well as hydrogen gas providers.

Air Products, the leading supplier of merchant hydrogen to the refinery industry to assist in the making of cleaner burning transportation fuels, has placed a majority of its hydrogen fueling station technology in 17 states within the United States. On a global basis, Air Products' has hydrogen fueling technology in Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.

Air Products has provided both liquid and gaseous hydrogen fueling at varied pressures including 700 bar (10,000 psi) at numerous locations. At most fueling stations, the hydrogen is delivered to the site via truck. At stations using both Air Products' permanent hydrogen fueling technology and its mobile hydrogen fueler, the hydrogen has been generated by on-site natural gas reformation, as well as through electrolysis, wind and solar means.

Air Products has more than 50 years of hydrogen experience and is on the forefront of hydrogen energy technology development. Air Products is a leader in the development of the hydrogen infrastructure necessary to fuel hydrogen fuel cell, hydrogen internal combustion engine, and HCNG (hydrogen/compressed natural gas) vehicles. 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.

More information on the tour can be found at the U.S. Department of Transportation web site at http://www.dot.gov/affairs/dot11108.htm.

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.

***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 (August 13, 2008 - 3:53 PM EDT)

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