LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. (October 3, 2001) — The Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE: APD) rock band, "The Difference," will compete in the first annual Battle of the Corporate Bands on Saturday, October 6, 2001, at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio. Hosted by Fortune magazine and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the competition will include nine other invited bands from a broad range of companies, including Harley Davidson, Merrill Lynch, PeopleSoft, Briggs & Stratton, McKinsey & Co., Deloitte Consulting, Marsh & McClennan, Enterasys and Integral Capital Partners. Proceeds will benefit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Education Fund.

The Difference, composed of eight Air Products employees from the company's headquarters in Trexlertown, Pa., was formed just under a year ago with support from now-retired vice president Joe Kaminski, who had read an article on corporate bands in an issue of Fortune magazine. With knowledge of several musically-talented employees in the company, including Sal Nicrone, the band's leader, Kaminski encouraged them to share their talents with other employees, customers and the local community. Symbolizing the Air Products distinction—its people and their ability to forge lasting relationships built on understanding, integrity and passion—The Difference has performed free-of-charge before 25 different audiences (primarily charitable organizations) since its formation, with 11 more performances planned for 2001 and a growing slate of events for next year.

For the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame competition, the bands will be judged based on performance, showmanship, originality and professionalism. Each band will play a 30-minute set on Saturday afternoon for the enjoyment of museum-goers, followed by a one-song showcase in front of five impartial judges, including Seymour Stein, chairman of London-Sire Records, and Tom Zito, chief executive officer of Garageband, Inc. and former member of Fleetwood Mac. Two bands will be chosen to compete in a three-song playoff later that evening with yet-to-be determined prizes awarded to the winner.

According to Steve Eck, who sings and plays rhythm guitar and serves as the company's Access Control Systems administrator, "What I love most about being a part of this band is all the good work we do for the community and the company. The words of praise, the smiles and the positive feedback really 'blow me away' sometimes. And when we play for employees, I really get the sense that people are proud of us and the good things we do for so many people." Ed McKendry, singer and bass guitarist, who supports Air Products' Electronics business as Marketing Communications manager, adds: "It's fun to be part of a new idea. The band has help to crystallize what our company is about—loyalty to our customers, to our communities, to our shareholders and to each other as employees."

Other members of The Difference, their role in the band and their day jobs include Nicrone, lead vocalist and drummer, group leader of Chauffeur Services; Barry Grow, bass guitarist, machinery applications engineer, Air Separation group; Terry Wetzel, sound technician, Office Support Services supervisor; Jim Gorman, digital pianist and synthesizer, North American Customer Service manager, Chemicals Group; Joe Hilgar, rhythm guitarist, Supply manager, Subcontracts and Field Support; Jim Meyer, lead guitarist, Electronics salesperson.

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (www.airproducts.com) is the world's only combined gases and chemicals company. Founded more than 60 years ago, the business has annual revenues of $5.5 billion and operations in 30 countries. Air Products is a market leader in the global electronics and chemical processing industries, and a longstanding innovator in many industrial markets, including coatings, adhesives and polyurethanes. The company distinguishes itself through its 17,500 employees around the world, who build lasting relationships with their customers and communities based on understanding, integrity and passion.