FTC Accepts Air Products' Consent Decree for Acquisition of Airgas

Air Products APD today announced that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has accepted a Consent Decree in connection with Air Products' proposed acquisition of Airgas, Inc. ARG. Final approval of the Consent Decree will be determined by the FTC after a 30-day public comment period. The waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976 expired yesterday, September 8, 2010. The Consent Decree permits Air Products to acquire Airgas subject to the divestiture of certain assets and permits, for a period of time, the closing of the acquisition prior to completion of the divestiture. The assets to be divested relate primarily to Airgas' liquid bulk and on-site supply of atmospheric gases, including production and related assets.