Airgas and Nuvera Announce Marketing Agreement to Provide Hydrogen to Power Fuel Cell Material Handling Equipment


RADNOR, PA and BILLERICA, MA - August 17, 2009 - Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG) and Nuvera Fuel Cells, Inc., today jointly announced a five-year marketing, sales, and service agreement to provide PowerTap(TM) hydrogen generators and stations to the North American material handling market. Under the agreement, Nuvera will manufacture the PowerTap systems and Airgas will provide distribution, installation, monitoring and maintenance of the equipment, as well as backup hydrogen, at customer sites.

PowerTap is a hydrogen generator and hydrogen station, part of the Nuvera Total Power Solution that includes PowerEdge(TM), a fuel cell hybrid system that replaces standard lead acid batteries in material handling equipment such as forklift trucks. The PowerTap generator uses steam reformation technology to produce hydrogen from natural gas.

"We're very happy to be partnering with Nuvera to deliver all the benefits of on-site hydrogen generation to customers with warehouses and forklifts," said Peter McCausland, Airgas chairman and chief executive officer. "For customers who want to increase productivity while reducing their environmental impact, this sustainable technology lowers CO2 emissions while eliminating more costly, resource-intense battery installations and disposal. By combining Nuvera's technology and manufacturing expertise with Airgas' nationwide distribution capability, we're able to provide the lowest total cost energy solution for these customers."

According to McCausland, Airgas will provide lease and maintenance programs for PowerTap systems so customers can avoid the upfront capital cost associated with purchasing the equipment.

"We are extremely pleased to be working with Airgas, whose strong national presence, sharp customer focus, and operational capabilities will provide a competitive offering to prospective Total Power Solution customers," said Roberto Cordaro, Nuvera Fuel Cells chief executive officer. "With this new distribution and service channel for our PowerTap systems, and source for backup hydrogen, the material handling market has a reliable, cost-effective and reputable source of hydrogen that will further the commercialization of Nuvera's products."

About Airgas, Inc.
Based in Radnor, Pennsylvania, Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG), through its subsidiaries, is the largest U.S. distributor of industrial, medical, and specialty gases, and hardgoods, such as welding equipment and supplies. Airgas is also one of the largest U.S. distributors of safety products, the largest U.S. producer of nitrous oxide and dry ice, the largest liquid carbon dioxide producer in the Southeast, and a leading distributor of process chemicals, refrigerants, and ammonia products. More than 14,000 employees work in over 1,100 locations, including branches, retail stores, gas fill plants, specialty gas labs, production facilities, and distribution centers. Airgas also distributes its products and services through eBusiness, catalog, and telesales channels. Its national scale and strong local presence offer a competitive edge to its diversified customer base. For more information, please visit www.airgas.com.

About Nuvera Fuel Cells, Inc.
Nuvera Fuel Cells is a global leader in the development of fuel cell systems and fuel processors for both end users and OEMs. With offices located in the U.S. and Europe, Nuvera provides clean, safe, and efficient products for industrial vehicles and equipment in addition to furthering the development of power systems for automotive and transportation applications. www.nuvera.com

For Airgas:
Media Contact:
Jay Worley (610) 902-6206
jay.worley@airgas.com

For Nuvera:
Media Contact:
Danielle Andre (617) 245-7571
dandre@nuvera.com

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