distributor of core specialty gases,
medical gases, and dry ice.

saturation generators

S.bio. Its national scale and strong local presence offer
a competitive edge to its diversified customer base.

mixtures compressed

gaseous cylinder

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers
BIOWIRE2K

RADNOR, Pa. Its integrated network of about 900 locations includes
branches, retail stores, gas fill plants, specialty gas labs,
production facilities and distribution centers . As of June 1, the acquired operations will form a new business
unit, Airgas Specialty Products.

liquid welco

The business, which includes a nationwide distribution system of
24 locations and more than 100 delivery vehicles, generated about $65
million in revenues in 2004 and employs more than 130 people .
LaRoche Industries, which traces its roots back more than a
century, is a leading supplier of ammonia products and services in the
U.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain statements that are forward
looking, as that term is defined by the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995 or by the Securities and Exchange Commission in its
rules, regulations and releases.

gas cryogenic

Airgas serves customers in all phases of the
life sciences, from biotechnology start -ups to large pharmaceutical
companies.

The acquisition is expected to be accretive in the first year.

acp cryogenic

About BIO

BIO represents more than 1,000 biotechnology companies, academic
institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations in
all 50 U. BIO members are involved in
the research and development of health care, agricultural, industrial
and environmental biotechnology products. Important factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking
statement include: adverse economic or business conditions restricting
the Company's ability to provide products and services to BIO members
electing to participate in the buying group; future purchases by BIO
members; and other factors described in the Company's reports,
including Form 10-K dated March 31, 2004 and Forms 10-Q dated June 30,
2004 , September 30, 2004, and December 31, 2004, filed by the Company
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Schulte, division president - Gas Operations,
who will manage the new business along with several other business
units in the division.

cryogenic gaseous

liquid welco

Airgas Completes Acquisition of LaRoche Industries ' Ammonia Distribution Business

bulk compressed

These statements include, but are not
limited to, statements regarding: the expectation that Airgas will
provide high-pressure cylinders, liquid cylinders and Micro-Bulk
service for industrial, specialty and medical gases as well as dry ice
to members participating in the buying group; the advantages
anticipated by BIO to be realized by member companies as a result of
the gases program.

chemicals purity

"We are very excited about winning this endorsement from BIO
following a 10-month competitive bid and review process conducted by a
committee of gas purchasers from BIO members," said Patrick M.S.

Business Editors

RADNOR, Pa.S. Important factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
contained in any forward-looking statement include: customer
acceptance of the transaction; the Company's ability to successfully
integrate the acquired operations and to retain LaRoche's personnel;
an economic downturn; increased industry competition; political and
economic uncertainties associated with current world events; and other
factors described in the Company's reports, including Form 10-K dated
March 31, 2004, and Forms 10-Q dated June 30 , 2004, September 30, 2004
and December 31, 2004 filed by the Company with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.

multinational welco

"This new BIO gases program should help member companies not only
reduce the cost of purchasing gases, but also the headaches and
hassles associated with gas ordering and inventorying ," said Morrie
Ruffin, vice president of business development for BIO. Airgas will
serve BIO members from nearly 900 locations throughout the U. "Our service to several BIO members,
as well as two existing group purchasing programs with other
biotechnology councils, demonstrated our experience in serving life
sciences companies. For more
information, please visit www.airgas.S.

cylinder gas

states and 33 other nations.

Airgas, Inc.

cylinder basic

,
(NYSE:ARG) today announced that the Biotechnology Industry
Organization (BIO), representing more than 1,000 biotechnology
companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and
related organizations in all 50 U.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain statements that are forward
looking, as that term is defined by the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995 or by the Securities and Exchange Commission in its
rules, regulations and releases.

gaseous disposable

S.

Airgas, Inc.S. Airgas also
distributes its products and services through eBusiness , catalog and
telesales channels. All forward-looking statements are based
on current expectations regarding important risk factors and should
not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person
that the results expressed therein will be achieved.

gaseous specialty

to
ensure close proximity and will provide value-added services to help
member companies manage cylinder usage and manage purchases through
eBusiness tools.org

About Airgas, Inc. distributor of
industrial , medical and specialty gases, welding, safety and related
products. For more
information, please visit www.

gaseous cryogenic

Under the terms of the three-year agreement, Airgas will provide
high-pressure cylinders , liquid cylinders and micro-bulk service for
industrial, specialty and medical gases as well as dry ice to members
participating in the buying group.

hydrogen purity

, who leads
the Strategic Accounts program. for nitrogen oxide abatement (DeNOx) within the utility industry
as well as metal finishing, water treatment , chemical processing, and
ammonia refrigeration applications. Its integrated network of about 900 locations includes
branches, retail stores, gas fill plants, specialty gas labs,
production facilities and distribution centers.

specialty disposable

"
Airgas is the largest U. All
forward-looking statements are based on current expectations regarding
important risk factors and should not be regarded as a representation
by the Company or any other person that the results expressed therein
will be achieved."

About Airgas, Inc. (NYSE:ARG) is the largest U. distributor of
industrial, medical and specialty gases , welding, safety and related
products. The
Company intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the
safe harbors created thereby.

welco welding

----Airgas, Inc. (NYSE:ARG) is the largest U.
(NYSE:ARG) today announced it has completed the acquisition of the
Atlanta-based Industrial Products Division of LaRoche Industries, a
leading distributor of anhydrous ammonia and related services in the
U. "Combining this century-old heritage with
Airgas' leadership in industrial and specialty gases, process
chemicals, related equipment, and safety products, gives us even more
ways to meet our customers' needs.S.

disposable gas

BIO Names Airgas Official Supplier of Packaged Gases

S. Airgas also
distributes its products and services through eBusiness, catalog and
telesales channels.

saturation specialty

The Company intends that such forward-looking
statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby.----Airgas, Inc . Its national scale and strong local presence offer
a competitive edge to its diversified customer base.

mixtures dioxide

Visintainer, senior vice president - sales for Airgas, Inc.
"We are proud that our new Airgas Specialty Products team will
continue providing ammonia products and services in the LaRoche
tradition," said Ted R. These statements include, but are not
limited to, statements regarding: the Company's expectation that the
acquisition will be accretive in the first year; and the combined
businesses giving Airgas more ways to meet its customers' needs.

welco gaseous

Airgas
first announced its intent to acquire LaRoche's business on April 26,
2005.

This category is for manufacturers and suppliers of gases for the Specialty Gas Industry, rare gases, and industrial use gases.

purity bulk

states and 33 other nations , has
selected Airgas as the strategic supplier of packaged gases for its
BIO Business Solutions group purchasing service. It is also a leader in Strategic Accounts,
serving corporations with multiple locations and members of group
purchasing organizations. For more information, visit
its website at www.airgas.

calibration chemicals

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