Air Products China President Appointed International Senior Economic Consultant to the People's Government of Shaanxi Province

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May 23, 2013, 10:46 ET

SHANGHAI, May 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Air Products (NYSE: APD) today announced the appointment of Stephen J. Jones, China president, and senior vice president and general manager for the company's Global Tonnage Gases, Equipment and Energy business, as International Senior Economic Consultant to the People's Government of Shaanxi Province.

Jones received his Letter of Appointment at the Seventh Session of the International Senior Economic Consultative Conference of the People's Government of Shaanxi Province held in the provincial capital Xi'an on May 23. At the conference, he also delivered an address on the theme "Accelerating Strategic Investment in Shaanxi to Build a Better Future Together."

The People's Government of Shaanxi Province established the international consultative program in 2001 to enlist the aid of senior executives from Fortune 500 companies in formulating its economic development policies. The 45 members meet formally every two years, and are consulted regularly on global economic and technological trends, international best business practices, and exchange programs to help the province attract foreign investment.

Jones assumed his China president role at Air Products in 2011 and is based at the company's China headquarters in Shanghai.

"This is a significant honor for me personally, and for everyone at Air Products," said Jones. "I believe it is in recognition of the important contribution our company has made to China's industrial development, particularly our commitment to Shaanxi Province."

"Air Products has been accelerating its growth in Western China," Jones added. "The company first entered Shaanxi Province in 2006 to serve the electronics industry and has continued to invest in the province since then. We have signed several significant contracts and have three major projects producing more than 20,000 tons per day of oxygen in operation or under construction. We are privileged to play an active role in supporting its economic and social development through our strategic investment, sustainable and innovative solutions, and talent development."

In Xi'an, Air Products has been awarded a major contract to supply ultra-high purity nitrogen and other bulk gases to Samsung Electronics' memory chip fab, which is the most advanced of its kind in China and the largest overseas investment ever made by the Korean company.

Air Products is also building multiple ASU trains for Shaanxi Future Energy Chemical Co. Ltd. The contract involves the largest single on-site ASU order ever awarded to an industrial gas company.

In addition, the company has established a scholarship program in Xi'an Jiaotong University and has been working with other universities and design institutes to study and develop applications for the electronics, energy, cryogenics, and other markets.

Air Products has been operating in China since 1987 and was one of the first multinational industrial gas corporations to invest in the country. With over 40 operating entities, 50 production facilities, and 2,800 employees, the company has already established a strong market position in China, serving a broad range of industries.

About Air Products

Air Products (NYSE: APD) provides atmospheric, process and specialty gases; performance materials; equipment; and technology. For over 70 years, the company has enabled customers to become more productive, energy efficient and sustainable. More than 20,000 employees in over 50 countries supply innovative solutions to the energy, environment and emerging markets. These include semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, coal gasification, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. In fiscal 2012, Air Products had sales of approaching US$10 billion. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.

NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management's reasonable expectations and assumptions as of the date of this release regarding important risk factors. Actual performance and financial results may differ materially from projections and estimates expressed in the forward-looking statements because of many factors not anticipated by management, including risk factors described in the Company's Form 10K for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2012.

SOURCE Air Products