RADNOR, PA and CARROLLTON, KY - October 2, 2006  -- Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG) today announced that it will build an air separation unit (ASU) in Carrollton, KY, to supply Dow Corning Corporation and to meet increasing demand for bulk and packaged gases in the region.

Airgas will build the plant on Dow Corning’s property located on Four Mile Road with engineering and equipment provided by Universal Industrial Gases, Inc. (UIG). Airgas and Dow Corning signed a long-term agreement effective immediately for gaseous nitrogen, giving the project a key base-load pipeline customer.  When completed in late 2008, the plant will have the capacity to liquefy at least 350 tons per day of nitrogen, oxygen, and argon.  Its expandable design will support additional pipeline customers and liquid production.

“We look forward to serving Dow Corning’s needs with this new state-of-the-art production facility,” said Mike Molinini, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Airgas.  “This project fits with our previously announced strategy to consider our own plants to augment our gas supply in those markets that remain underserved by the industry.”

Dow Corning Supply Manager Jodi Dudley commented, “This agreement with Airgas will provide a long-term, economical source of nitrogen for our Carrollton facility. We are pleased to be working with Airgas to move this project to the next phase.”

“UIG is excited to provide Airgas with the engineering and latest cryogenic equipment to build a cost-effective, reliable, plant that will serve both Dow Corning and Airgas’ merchant product demands,” said Sam Piazza, president of UIG.  “We are pleased to be a part of this important new investment in the industry.”

As the nation¹s largest distributor of industrial, specialty, and medical gases, Airgas currently buys the majority of its atmospheric gas supply from multiple industrial gas producers.  With its joint venture affiliate, National Welders Supply Company of Charlotte, NC, Airgas operates six ASUs, producing 1,800 tons per day, primarily in the eastern half of the United States.

“We will operate the new plant within our Gas Operations Division, which has the necessary expertise to run the production plant,” said Molinini.  The Gas Operations Division operates air separation plants, carbon dioxide production plants, nitrous oxide production plants, and dry ice production plants nationwide.  The new ASU will eventually employ more than 20 employees in production and distribution.

“This partnership strengthens our local industrial base, and it creates jobs,” added Carroll County (KY) Judge/Executive Harold "Shorty" Tomlinson. “This is good for our community.”

About Airgas, Inc.

Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG), through its subsidiaries, is the largest U.S. distributor of industrial, medical, and specialty gases, and related hardgoods, such as welding equipment and supplies.  Airgas is also the  third-largest U.S. distributor 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.  Its 10,000 employees work in about 900 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 Dow Corning

Dow Corning (www.dowcorning.com) provides performance-enhancing solutions to serve the diverse needs of more than 25,000 customers worldwide.  A global leader in silicon-based technology and innovation, offering more than 7,000 products and services, Dow Corning is equally owned by The Dow Chemical Company and Corning Incorporated. More than half of Dow Corning¹s sales are outside the United States.

About Universal Industrial Gases, Inc.

Universal Industrial Gases, Inc. (UIG), founded in 1992, is headquartered in Easton, PA, and operates worldwide.  UIG provides new, used and certified pre-owned air separation plants, oxygen and nitrogen generators, and cryogenic liquid storage and distribution equipment as well as related engineering, installation, operation and maintenance services.  In addition, the company recently entered the onsite gas market, through its affiliate Universal Cryo Gas LLC.  UIG products and services are used in numerous industries, including metals manufacturing and fabrication, chemicals, food and beverage processing, glass, pulp and paper.  For more information on UIG, please visit www.uigi.com.\