Praxair China has installed its NCOOL(TM) cryogenic heat exchanger system at Shanghai The First Biochemical & Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., an affiliate of Shanghai Pharmaceutical (Group) Ltd. This is the first liquid nitrogen supply contract that Praxair China has signed that employs Praxair's patented NCOOL cryogenic heat exchanger system in a pharmaceutical freeze dryer (see also Praxair, Inc.).

The NCOOL system is used for precision cooling and temperature control of production lyophilizers, chemical reactors and for other critical fluid cooling applications.

Praxair's highly efficient nitrogen-based system replaces the current mechanically refrigerated freeze dryer, providing a system that is environmentally safer, more reliable and with greater process flexibility. By capturing the cooling value of ultra-cold liquid and gaseous nitrogen, the NCOOL system eliminates both the reliance on compressors and the use of halogenated coolants (CFCs or other ozone-depleting substances).

"It's encouraging to see our NCOOL system and related lyophilization technology reach another milestone in the Chinese market," said David Chow, president of Praxair China. "The prospects for liquid nitrogen cooling of pharmaceutical freeze dryers are very promising." About Praxair China Praxair (China) Investment Co., Ltd is a leading industrial gas provider in China. It is headquartered in Shanghai, has 18 wholly owned companies, 10 joint ventures and over 1200 employees in the country. More information on Praxair China is available on the Internet at www.praxair.cn. About Praxair Praxair, Inc. (NYSE:PX) is the largest industrial gases company in North and South America, and one of the largest worldwide, with 2008 sales of $10.8 billion. The company produces, sells and distributes atmospheric, process and specialty gases, and high-performance surface coatings. Praxair products, services and technologies bring productivity and environmental benefits to a wide variety of industries, including aerospace, chemicals, food and beverage, electronics, energy, healthcare, manufacturing, metals and others. More information on Praxair is available on the Internet at www.praxair.com.

<<Biotech Week via NewsRx.com -- 10/05/2009>>