Wiesbaden, May 29, 2006 - The technology group Linde has acquired the Turkey based industrial gases producer Karbogaz A.S. Karbogaz, formed in 1984, is a joint venture company between Ismail Aytemiz of Istanbul and U.S. industrial gases producer Praxair, Inc., Danbury, CT. Specific terms of the transaction were not disclosed, but it is subject to the approval of the Turkish competition authorities.

"With the acquisition of Karbogaz, we are strengthening our position in a growing region and complementing our European leadership", said Dr. Aldo Belloni, member of the Executive Board of Linde AG and responsible for the business segment Gas and Engineering. "Karbogaz is one of the most important industrial gases suppliers in Turkey, and the regional market leader in the thriving carbon dioxide (C02) segment."

"We are pleased to sell our shares in Karbogaz to another leading company in the industrial gases industry," said Ismail Aytemiz, chairman of the Aytemiz Group. "This sale is equally in line with our strategic goal to concentrate on the petroleum business and to provide our customers with a high quality service."

In fiscal year 2005, Istanbul-based Karbogaz A.S. generated sales of approximately 27 million Euros, and currently employs a staff of around 230.

Linde is an international technology group, which occupies leading positions in each of its two business segments Gas and Engineering as well as Material Handling. In the financial year 2005, Linde achieved a turnover of 9.5 billion euros and currently employs approximately 42,400 people worldwide.

Praxair is the largest industrial gases company in North and South America, and one of the largest worldwide, with 2005 sales of 7.7 billion U.S. dollar. The company produces, sells and distributes atmospheric, process and specialty gases, and high-performance surface coatings. Praxair products, services and technologies bring productivity and environmental benefits to a wide variety of industries, including aerospace, chemicals, food and beverage, electronics, energy, healthcare, manufacturing, metals and others. More information on Praxair is available on the Internet at www.praxair.com.

Aytemiz Petroleum, which has been one of the leading petroleum companies in Turkey for 44 years, is also active in the natural gas, lube oil and oil additives industry. Aytemiz Petroleum Group currently employs 225 people generating sales of 720 million euro in 2005.