Airgas and Nuvera Announce Marketing Agreement to Provide Hydrogen to Power Fuel Cell Material Handling Equipment

RADNOR, Pa. & BILLERICA, Mass.--(Business Wire)--
Airgas, Inc. (NYSE:ARG) and Nuvera Fuel Cells, Inc., today jointly announced a
five-year marketing, sales, and service agreement to provide PowerTapTM hydrogen
generators and stations to the North American material handling market. Under
the agreement, Nuvera will manufacture the PowerTap systems and Airgas will
provide distribution, installation, monitoring and maintenance of the equipment,
as well as backup hydrogen, at customer sites.

PowerTap is a hydrogen generator and hydrogen station, part of the Nuvera Total
Power Solution that includes PowerEdge, a fuel cell hybrid system that replaces
standard lead acid batteries in material handling equipment such as forklift
trucks. The PowerTap generator uses steam reformation technology to produce
hydrogen from natural gas.

"We`re very happy to be partnering with Nuvera to deliver all the benefits of
on-site hydrogen generation to customers with warehouses and forklifts," said
Peter McCausland, Airgas chairman and chief executive officer. "For customers
who want to increase productivity while reducing their environmental impact,
this sustainable technology lowers CO2 emissions while eliminating more costly,
resource-intense battery installations and disposal. By combining Nuvera`s
technology and manufacturing expertise with Airgas` nationwide distribution
capability, we`re able to provide the lowest total cost energy solution for
these customers."

According to McCausland, Airgas will provide lease and maintenance programs for
PowerTap systems so customers can avoid the upfront capital cost associated with
purchasing the equipment.

"We are extremely pleased to be working with Airgas, whose strong national
presence, sharp customer focus, and operational capabilities will provide a
competitive offering to prospective Total Power Solution customers," said
Roberto Cordaro, Nuvera Fuel Cells chief executive officer. "With this new
distribution and service channel for our PowerTap systems, and source for backup
hydrogen, the material handling market has a reliable, cost-effective and
reputable source of hydrogen that will further the commercialization of Nuvera`s
products."

About Airgas, Inc.

Based in Radnor, Pennsylvania, 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, 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.

About Nuvera Fuel Cells, Inc.

Nuvera Fuel Cells is a global leader in the development of fuel cell systems and
fuel processors for both end users and OEMs. With offices located in the U.S.
and Europe, Nuvera provides clean, safe, and efficient products for industrial
vehicles and equipment in addition to furthering the development of power
systems for automotive and transportation applications. www.nuvera.com

For Airgas:
Media Contact:
Jay Worley, 610-902-6206
jay.worley@airgas.com
or
For Nuvera:
Media Contact:
Danielle Andre, 617-245-7571
dandre@nuvera.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009