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Renew Energy and Airgas Carbonic Sign Marketing Agreement

Posted on: Monday, 29 October 2007, 18:00 CDT

Renew Energy, LLC, Wisconsin's newest and largest ethanol plant, and Airgas, Inc. (NYSE:ARG) today announced a joint marketing alliance that will enable Airgas Carbonic, Inc. to market beverage-grade liquid carbon dioxide co-product from the plant.

"Renew Energy's ethanol plant 50 miles from Milwaukee will be an ideal source of beverage-grade liquid carbon dioxide for our food and beverage bulk customers," said Phil Filer, president of Airgas Carbonic. "It will add to our network of sources in the Midwest."

Renew Energy plans to begin production the week of November 5 at its 130 million gallon-per-year ethanol plant. The plant will feature the world's largest dry corn fractionation mill, yielding a completely different set of co-products than the traditional ethanol plants. The plant will use state-of-the-art environmental technology, capturing carbon dioxide and minimizing emissions well below regulatory limits.

"Liquid carbon dioxide customers will be pleased to learn that Airgas Carbonic will have double the normal storage capacity at Renew Energy, plus back up sources to help provide uninterrupted supply," said Scott Busch, director of co-products marketing for Renew. He also noted that Airgas has the ability to market liquid carbon dioxide from two Wisconsin liquid carbon dioxide plants.

Airgas Carbonic, based in Duluth, GA, is the second-largest manufacturer and distributor of liquid carbon dioxide in the United States, with six production facilities. Two of its plants are the largest in North America and offer state-of-the-art production and quality control capability. It also sources liquid carbon dioxide from other sources to augment its production.

About Airgas, Inc.

Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG), through its subsidiaries, is the largest U.S. distributor of industrial, medical, and specialty gases, and hardgoods, such as welding equipment and supplies. Airgas is also one of the largest U.S. distributors of safety products, the largest U.S. producer of nitrous oxide and dry ice, the largest liquid carbon dioxide producer in the Southeast, and a leading distributor of process chemicals, refrigerants, and ammonia products. More than 14,000 employees work in over 1,100 locations, including branches, retail stores, gas fill plants, specialty gas labs, production facilities and distribution centers. Airgas also distributes its products and services through eBusiness, catalog and telesales channels. Its national scale and strong local presence offer a competitive edge to its diversified customer base. For more information, please visit www.airgas.com.

About Renew Energy

The Renew Energy ethanol plant at Jefferson, WI will produce 130 million gallons of ethanol per year. Together with its sister plant, Utica Energy, located near Oshkosh, WI, the plants will produce over 180 million gallons of ethanol. For more information, visit www.renewenergyllc.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release may contain statements that are forward-looking, as that term is defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 or by the Securities and Exchange Commission in its rules, regulations, and releases. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding; Airgas' intention to market liquid carbon dioxide from Renew Energy, LLC's ethanol plant in Jefferson, WI; the plant serving as an ideal source of beverage-grade liquid carbon dioxide for our food and beverage bulk customers; and its ability to add to our network of sources from our own plants and other sources. Airgas intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. All forward-looking statements are based on current expectations regarding important risk factors and should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person that the results expressed therein will be achieved. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement include: our ability to attract and retain employees and customers; our ability to maintain our agreement with Renew Energy; customer acceptance of our products; an economic downturn; adverse changes in customer buying patterns; political and economic uncertainties associated with current world events; and other factors described in the Company's reports, including Form 10-K dated March 31, 2007, and other forms filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Source: Business Wire

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