Praxair China, a subsidiary of US-based Praxair Inc. (NYSE: PX), has won a 15-year contract from Jinlong Copper Co., Ltd. (Jinlong) to supply pipeline oxygen at their plant in Tongling, Anhui Province.

It was clinched during Anhui Investment and Trade Expo 2006, which opened from May 18 to 23 in Hong Kong.

Praxair China will build, own and operate three non-cryogenic oxygen systems with a total capacity of 14,100 cubic meters per hour to meet the requirements of Jinlong's flash furnace-smelting process. The construction work is now under way. 

The first system will be ready to supply oxygen to Jinlong in January 2007; the second one will begin operation in July of the same year; and the third will start up in August 2008.

Praxair, Inc. is a global, Fortune 500 company, with sales value of US$7.7 billion in 2005. The company produces, sells and distributes atmospheric and process gases, and high-performance surface coatings.

(China.org.cn June 1, 2006)