Airgas Inc. announced that effective April 1, or as contracts permit, its operating units will increase prices on packaged and bulk gases, and other products. Prices will increase, on average, as follows:
- 10 to 15 percent for packaged and bulk industrial gases, including oxygen, nitrogen, and argon; acetylene and other fuel gases; specialty gases; process chemicals and rare gases; medical gases; nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and dry ice;
- 15 to 25 percent for helium
Effective immediately, Airgas also will raise rental rates for cylinders and bulk tanks and other delivery and service charges by 8 to 15 percent and will continue to pass along higher pricing for hardgoods and safety products.
Higher electricity and energy prices have led to substantial increases in product costs as well as operating costs at Airgas fill plants and other facilities. The company also has seen higher prices for cylinders, bulk tanks, equipment, and welding consumables, due to metal prices, which all factored into the pricing actions.
“We are facing rising costs, even though the escalation of the past year has moderated,” said Airgas chairman and chief executive officer Peter McCausland. “We continue to invest in our infrastructure to improve operating efficiencies, meet the demands of our customers, and fulfill the safety and security requirements of our industry. Airgas associates are working hard every day to meet our customers’ needs in a very challenging environment.”
