Specialty-gas and coatings company Praxair said Monday it saw a 6-percent increase in February sales versus the same month a year ago, reflecting higher volumes and pricing in all geographic regions.
In North America, sales for February rose 3 percent over last February. On-site, merchant and packaged gases sales were all higher than in 2006, with continued strong demand for merchant products and on-site hydrogen.
European sales for February increased 18 percent. Higher sales in the region were driven by continued volume growth in Spain, Italy and Western Europe, and higher pricing supported by pass-through of higher power costs.
South American sales increased 11 percent, led by increased on-site, merchant and packaged gas sales.
Asian sales rose 9 percent. Sales year-to-date increased 13 percent, buoyed by higher volumes in China, India and Korea, partially offset by lower demand from food-freezing applications and electronics. New business development activity in Asia remains strong, the company said.
Praxair's Surface Technologies business posted a sales decline of 3 percent in February, (up 10 excluding its aviation repair divestiture). The company said there continued strong global demand for OEM aviation coatings and higher pricing.
