RADNOR, Pa.–Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG) is participating in the 22nd Analytica International Trade Fair for Laboratory Technology, Analysis, and Biotechnology today through Friday, March 26 at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre, Munich, Germany. The Airgas exhibit, number 231/322 located in Hall A2, features Airgas’ new line of low-cost, high-purity lightweight regulators for gas chromatography, as well as other products in its specialty gas equipment line. In addition, Frank Kandl, Airgas national specialty gas equipment center manager, will present “Smart Gas Management: Unique Technology for Pressure Regulation” at the Airgas exhibit on Wednesday, March 24, 18:00 – 22:00 hrs.

“Outside of the United States, Airgas markets specialty gas equipment, such as high-purity regulators and manifolds and gas purifying systems, through distributor partners”

“Outside of the United States, Airgas markets specialty gas equipment, such as high-purity regulators and manifolds and gas purifying systems, through distributor partners,” Kandl said. “We currently have more than 20 distributors offering Airgas equipment and Analytica provides us a unique opportunity to significantly expand our distributor network.”

According to Kandl, demand for Airgas specialty gas equipment outside the U.S. is growing significantly.

“High-purity specialty gases used in gas chromatography can be very scarce in certain regions of the world,” Kandl explained. “Our equipment helps to reduce gas usage, remove or reduce impurities from the gas stream, and create consistencies in the analytical process, regardless of the gas purity or gas supplier.”

The new Airgas regulators on display at Analytica are made from solid bar stock with a needle valve built in the regulator body to reduce internal volume, and have stainless steel diaphragms to provide the consistent, high-purity results required in gas chromatography applications. According to Kandl, typical low-cost regulators use a forged body and therefore have a large internal volume which can trap impurities and create inconsistencies in analytical results. They also tend to use neoprene diaphragms which can absorb and introduce contaminants into the gas stream. Kandl attributes a unique bonnet design that incorporates a special resin to the regulator’s significantly reduced weight. Airgas regulators are more than 10 percent lighter than similarly priced models, making them easier to handle when connecting to a cylinder. The regulators also have an available check-valve cylinder connection to prevent contaminants from entering the gas stream during cylinder change out.

About Airgas, Inc.

Based in Radnor, Pennsylvania, USA, Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG), through its subsidiaries, is the largest U.S. distributor of industrial, medical, and specialty gases, and hardgoods, such as welding equipment and supplies. Airgas is also one of the largest U.S. distributors of safety products, the largest U.S. producer of nitrous oxide and dry ice, the largest liquid carbon dioxide producer in the Southeast, the fifth largest producer of atmospheric merchant gases in North America, and a leading distributor of process chemicals, refrigerants, and ammonia products. More than 14,000 employees work in over 1,100 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.