Press releases

Warsaw, February 9, 2010 – Air Products (NYSE:APD), the largest provider of technical gases in Poland, and the Ciech Chemical Group (WSE: CIE), the largest chemical company in Poland, signed a long-term contract today for the supply of TDA (meta-toluenediamine) to Zachem SA, a Ciech Group company. The contract will ensure the continued cooperation of the two companies until 2018. The value of the TDA supplied by Air Products is estimated at approximately USD 80 million annually. The contract was signed at Ciech’s head office in Warsaw by Air Products’ Senior Vice President and General Manager, Tonnage Gases, Equipment and Energy, Stephen J. Jones, and Konrad Mikołajski, President of the Management Board of Zachem SA.

The contract represents a significant expansion of the existing cooperation between the companies, which began in 1993. Air Products will provide TDA to the Zachem plant in the city of Bydgoszcz in a continuous system, ensuring stability of supply and high quality of product.

“As a result of this contract with such a reliable partner as Air Products, Zachem has gained a solid base for further growth. After the crash in the TDI market in late 2008/early 2009, demand began to recover rapidly in the second half of last year. We expect that by increasing production capacity, Zachem will improve the manufacturing efficiency of its key product, and its resulting growth will be a positive contribution to our Group’s results,” said Robert Bednarski, Member of the Management Board of Ciech SA.

In the second half of 2009, in accordance with its long-term investment plan, the Ciech Chemical Group increased the production capacity of the TDI manufacturing facility in Bydgoszcz by 25%, to 75,000 tons annually.

“We are glad to be able to continue our cooperation with our important business partner, the Ciech Chemical Group. Our successful cooperation to date and mutual trust has enabled us to agree conditions of the supply of TDA that are beneficial to both companies. Since acquiring BOC Gazy in 2007, our company has been concentrating on developing its Polish operations. In 2009 we opened a new liquid oxygen and nitrogen plant in Kędzierzyn-Koźle, and our contract to supply Zachem with TDA is another step in the dynamic growth of Air Products in Poland, a market of key importance to us,” said Stephen Jones, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Tonnage Gases, Equipment and Energy at Air Products.

The TDA (meta-toluenediamine) supplied to Zachem SA’s manufacturing facility in Bydgoszcz is the main component in the process of manufacturing toluene di-isocyanate  (TDI). Zachem is the only producer of TDI in Poland, a component used in the production of flexible polyurethane foam used in the furniture industry (mattresses, carpeting), the motor industry (car seats, vehicle bumpers), and also in insulation materials, synthetic fibers, lacquers and adhesives.

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. In fiscal 2009, Air Products had revenues of $8.3 billion, operations in over 40 countries, and 18,900 employees around the globe. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.

Air Products is present in 15 European countries, including Central and Eastern European region countries, such as Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Russia and Poland. Operating in Poland for 17 years, Air Products is consistently implementing its growth strategy based on carefully selected investments. After the acquisition of BOC Gazy in 2007, Air Products became the largest producer of technical gases in Poland.

The Ciech Chemical Group is the biggest chemical concern in Poland. It comprises 58 companies and is one of the leaders in the Central European market. The Group has a well-developed production structure and business network in Poland, Europe and Asia. The main Group’s products include soda ash (second place in Europe), TDI, salt, phosphate and compound fertilizers, plant protection chemicals, epoxy and polyester resins and other organic chemical products used in the glassmaking, furniture, chemical, construction and agriculture industries. With annual revenues of approximately PLN 3.8 billion, the Ciech Chemical Group is among the 50 largest Polish enterprises. Since February 2005, Ciech SA has been listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. The largest shareholders of the company include the State Treasury (36.68 percent of shares and votes at the General Meeting of Shareholders), Pioneer Pekao Investment Management SA (18.77 percent), PZU "Złota Jesień" Open Pension Fund (6.12 percent). More information at www.ciech.com.

For more information, please contact:

Krzysztof Grad
Spokesman of the Ciech Chemical Group, Director of Communication Department of Ciech SA
tel.: (+48 22) 639 13 18
mob.: 0 669 600 011
e-mail: krzysztof.grad@ciech.com

Dorota Grzegorczyk
Communications & PR Manager
Air Products Sp. z o.o.
tel. +48 22 440 32 00
e-mail: GRZEGOD@airproducts.com

Agnieszka Dynos
Questia Sp. z o.o.
Communications Management Consultants
tel. +48 22 623 07 00,
e-mail: adynos@questiapr.pl