Munich, 2 May 2008 - The technology group The Linde Group has sold its Colombian subsidiary Cryogas S.A. to the Chilean industrial gases and welding company Indura S.A. at an enterprise value of 90 million euro. Following the fulfilment of customary closing conditions, the transaction was now completed.

　　This divestiture was an antitrust condition imposed by the Colombian regulatory authorities (SIC) arising from the acquisition of The BOC Group plc by Linde which became effective on 5 September 2006.

　　The Linde Group owned 73.95 percent of Cryogas and just recently acquired an additional 26.00 percent of the shares, all which were sold to Indura S.A.

　　Cryogas S.A. employs a staff of around 400 and achieved sales of approximately 49 million euro in the 2007 financial year.

　　The Linde Group is a world leading gases and engineering company with more than 50,000 employees working in around 100 countries worldwide. In the 2007 financial year it achieved sales of EUR 12.3 billion. The strategy of The Linde Group is geared towards earnings-based and sustainable growth and focuses on the expansion of its international business with forward-looking products and services. Linde acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners, employees, society and the environment - in every one of its business areas, regions and locations across the globe. Linde is committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development.