Praxair China Signs Second Contract to Supply Drinking Water Plant Serving Olympic Games

Beijing Praxair Inc., an affiliate of Praxair China, has signed an exclusive oxygen-supply contract with Beijing No. 3 Water Works which will provide fresh drinking water to Beijing for the Olympic Games. Praxair is concluding oxygen supply contracts with the other two plants of Beijing Waterworks Group Co. Ltd., and start-up of all three plants is scheduled for around May 2008.

This new business follows the previously announced signing of contracts with Beijing Drainage Group Co., Ltd to supply oxygen to three wastewater re-use plants in Beijing.

To supply high quality drinking water during 2008 Olympic Games, Beijing has invested in retrofitting the three drinking water plants. In addition to pumping up water from the Yangtze River to the city, an advanced oxygen-fed ozone technology system plus activated carbon are used to replace chlorine as disinfectant. Once this system goes on-stream, the quality of the water it produces will meet international standards for direct drinking and the people of Beijing will enjoy potable water from their taps.

“We are proud of winning this new contract and customer,” said David Chow, president of Praxair China. “It provides us with another significant opportunity to contribute to the Beijing Olympic Games as well as to the overall drinking water quality in Beijing.”

In recent years, treatment of drinking water has grown into one of Praxair China’s key market sectors. With over 20 locations in China, Praxair China will continue to build on its leadership position in this sector.