Gas Technology Products LLC Announces the Sale of Fifth LO-CAT® System to Praxair Thailand Company for Removal of Hydrogen Sulfide from Carbon Dioxide for Food Grade Use.

Schaumburg, Ill., April 2006—A LO-CAT® Hydrogen Sulfide Oxidation Process license has been purchased by Praxair Thailand Company, Ltd. to remove hydrogen sulfide from carbon dioxide at the facility in Rayong, Thailand. The unit, designed to treat 400 MT/day CO2, will reduce the H2S levels to nearly undetectable amounts. It is scheduled to be operational in October 2006.

This unit, the fifth such system licensed and built by Praxair in Thailand, increases the CO2 treated at the Thailand facilities to nearly 2000 MT/day, and is the thirteenth LO-CAT License granted to Praxair worldwide.

Gas Technology Products LLC, a member of the Merichem family of companies, has more than 27 years of H2S removal experience and offers a complete portfolio of H2S removal processes, systems and products to fit a wide range of applications. Additional information is available at www.gtp-merichem.com

The Merichem family of companies provides a diversified portfolio of products and services including naphthenic acids, copper napthenate, sodium hydrosulfide, and process technology to the chemical, refining, and pulp and paper industries worldwide.

Company Contact:
William Rouleau
Phone: 847-285-3865
Fax: 847-285-3888/3889
wrouleau@merichem.com

Agency Contact:
Joyce Marcus
Phone: 847-282-3540 x14
Fax: 847-282-3541
jmarcus@marcusinc.com