"The addition of high-purity aluminum production to our portfolio will further strengthen Praxair's ability to grow our materials science business in the semiconductor market through improved technology and better supply chain management for our products, said Ray Roberge, president, Praxair Electronics. "Through this transaction, we will also gain a materials supply position in the flat-panel display market which complements our already established gases business in that industry."

The transaction could be completed by the first quarter of 2006.
 
Praxair, Inc also announced recently that the combined impacts of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to reduce operating profit by $15 to $18 million for its 3Q05 financial period.

Praxair's pipeline systems on the Gulf Coast remains curtailed pending the start-up of customer facilities damaged by the hurricanes or constrained by the availability of electricity, and a shortage of labor in the region, the company reported.