SHANGHAI: Borosilicate glass is one of China’s focuses for development in its ready-to-release Outline of the 12th Five Year Plan for daily-use glass industry. It is widely used in laboratory glassware and cookware because of its high strength and heat resistance. As such specialty glass melts at a higher temperature, the manufacturing process consumes relatively more energy and fuel.

Air Products (NYSE: APD), a leader in oxy-fuel combustion technology and integrated solution supplier to the global glass industry, recently signed a contract to supply its integrated oxy-fuel solution to Kunshan Yongxin Glassware (hereinafter referred to as “Yongxin”), one of the leaders in heat resistant glass making for microwave oven and the other home appliances in China, to improve productivity and reduce emissions.

The integrated oxy-fuel solution includes the supply of Cleanfire(R) HRi (TM) oxy-fuel burners, automatic control skid for burners and PRISM(R) vacuum swing absorption (VSA) oxygen generator which will supply reliable and economical oxygen. In addition, Air Products provides consultation on furnace design, process and technique optimization with operation data analysis and solid experience to Yongxin.

“Air Products is honored to have been Yongxin’s long-term supplier from its first trial on oxy-boosting in 2007 through today’s full conversion to oxy-fuel combustion”, said Richard Huang, Air Products’ Asia industry manager for Glass.

“This is another success story on how our innovative solution and glass experts can help ChinaÕs glass makers address increasingly stringent environmental regulations while improving productivity, efficiency and quality.”

An innovative combustion technology, Air Products’ integrated oxy-fuel solution brings glass manufacturers various benefits such as about 80% reduction of nitrogen oxide emissions, over 25% increase in productivity, reduction of capitals, 25-60% energy savings and improvement in efficiency and glass quality.

With over 50 years of experience in oxy-fuel technology, Air Products offers an integrated oxy-fuel solution, from gases supply to oxy-fuel burners and technology, customized control system, technical and design expertise, commissioning service, safety and site training, maintenance contracts and project management. Air Products has installed more than 1,500 Clean fire burners around the world.

The company previously announced contracts for its oxy-fuel integrated solution with a fiberglass manufacturer in China and a container and tableware glass manufacturer in Korea.

Air Products provides atmospheric, process and specialty gases; performance materials; equipment; and technology. For over 70 years, the company has enabled customers to become more productive, energy efficient and sustainable. More than 18,000 employees in over 40 countries supply innovative solutions to the energy, environment and emerging markets.

These include semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, coal gasification, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. In fiscal 2011,

Air Products had sales of $10.1 billion. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.