Air Products Collaborates with Huazhong University of Science and Technology to Drive Clean Energy with Focus on Advanced Combustion Technology

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Oct 18, 2011, 10:00 ET

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Air Products (NYSE: APD), a leading global industrial gases and performance materials supplier, today announced it has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and a joint research and development (R&D) agreement with Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) in China on clean energy.

The collaboration between Air Products and the State Key Laboratory of Coal Combustion (SKLCC) of HUST will accelerate the development and application of clean energy technology in China, with initial focus on advanced combustion technology through experimenting and theory testing of oxy-fuel combustion under the joint R&D agreement.

In addition, the two parties have agreed to have closer cooperation on other activities, including exploring joint R&D efforts on clean combustion technology―such as oxy-fuel, flameless combustion and other industrial high temperature processes―and setting up student scholarship and internship programs.

"Air Products is committed to bringing advanced and sustainable solutions to China to meet the local market needs," said Steve Jones, China president and senior vice president and general manager of Global Tonnage Gases, Energy and Equipment, at Air Products. "We have been partnering with leading local universities, design institutes and engineers to accelerate technology development in the environmental, energy and emerging market segments to support China's 12th Five-Year Plan. HUST is a leading university focusing on combustion in China, and the collaboration is one example of Air Products' commitment to driving clean combustion technology development."

Established in 1991, the SKLCC of HUST is one of the top coal combustion research institutes in China. It has built a 300KW oxy-fuel combustion system and is currently building other larger systems.

"We are excited to form a partnership with Air Products, which is recognized as a highly innovative industrial gases and performance materials company. The collaboration will facilitate knowledge and technology exchanges between the academic and commercial fields and will benefit the energy and environmental markets as a whole. We look forward to a successful partnership with Air Products and further expanding our collaboration in the future," said Zhaohui Liu, Associate Director of SKLCC at HUST.

Air Products was the first global industrial gas company to establish an internal R&D capability in China when it set up its Asia Technology Center in 2005, which today is serving key high-growth market segments in China and the rest of Asia, including performance materials, electronics and general industries.

About Air Products

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 2010, Air Products had revenues of $9 billion, operations in over 40 countries, and 18,300 employees around the globe. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.

About the State Key Laboratory of Coal Combustion of Huazhong University of Science and Technology

Established in 1991, the State Key Laboratory of Coal Combustion of Huazhong University of Science and Technology is one of the top coal combustion research institutes in China. The laboratory focuses on the research of kinetics of coal combustion, emission control and pollution treatment during combustion, modeling of coal combustion and gasification, combustion diagnostics and optimization, and advanced thermal energy utilization and conversion technology. Equipped with advanced testing and measuring systems, it has become an important base for fundamental research and technology development in energy and environmental areas. It's a leading institute for oxy-fuel combustion R&D in China.

***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, 2010.

SOURCE Air Products