Matheson Tri-Gas Revises Upward its January 2005 Announcement Regarding New Air Separation Capacity in Southern California

Business Wire, May 2, 2005

PARSIPPANY, N.J. -- Matheson Tri-Gas, Inc., announced today that it has significantly upgraded its prior commitment to manufacture and deliver merchant liquid products to the Southern California area. Matheson Tri-Gas announced January 25, 2005 that it would build a new air separation plant that is expected to be on-stream, producing high-purity merchant product, during the first quarter of 2007. The initial new capacity was to satisfy projected market demand through 2010. Matheson Tri-Gas has now upgraded its commitment with plans for increased capacity to supply the projected market demand all the way through 2015.

"The vibrant nature of the Southern California area demands this support and we are committed to satisfying the demand," said James Samples, President and COO of Matheson Tri-Gas.

"This significant investment over a short period of time further demonstrates the commitment of our parent company, Taiyo Nippon Sanso, to growth in the United States in all our business segments," added Chairman and CEO Bill Kroll.

Matheson Tri-Gas, Inc., is a single source provider of industrial and specialty gases, including bulk and cylinder gases, gas handling equipment, high performance purification systems, and related hardgoods. The Company also provides support services, engineering services, and systems management services to analytical laboratories and semiconductor manufacturers worldwide. As a member of the Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation group, Matheson Tri-Gas, Inc., is part of a worldwide industrial gas organization focusing on being the single source provider for global customer requirements.