Praxair Distribution, Inc., a subsidiary of Praxair, Inc. (www.praxair.com) said in mid- September it would increase prices for its packaged gas products in the U.S. and Canada as follows:
• 10 percent to 20 percent for oxygen, nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide/dry ice, fuel gases and hydrogen.
• 15 percent to 30 percent for helium.
• 5 percent for equipment and associated consumables.
• Up to 15 percent for rental and facility fees.

The company also said that, in some circumstances, price adjustments may be higher or lower than these percentages.

Praxair said the price increases its responses to continued escalating costs for its raw material, labor, energy and fuels, and reflect the limited available capacity at production facilities for certain products, particularly helium.

Praxair is the largest industrial gases company in North and South America, and one of the largest worldwide, with 2006 sales of $8.3 billion. The company produces, sells and distributes atmospheric, process and specialty gases, and high-performance surface coatings.