Price increases, on average, will be as follows:

• 10 percent 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 percent to 25 percent for helium.

Also, effective Feb. 26, Airgas said it would raise rental rates for cylinders and bulk tanks and other delivery and service charges by 8 percent to 15 percent, and would continue to pass along higher pricing for hardgoods and safety products.

The company, the largest U.S. distributor of industrial, medical and specialty gases, and welding, safety and related products, attributed the increases to higher electricity and energy prices that led to substantial increases in product costs, and increased operating costs at Airgas fill plants and other facilities. Airgas also said it has seen higher prices for cylinders, bulk tanks, equipment, and welding consumables, due to increased metal prices. All of these elements factored into the pricing actions, the company said in a statement.

"We are facing rising costs, even though the escalation of the past year has moderated," Peter McCausland, chairman and chief executive officer of Airgas said, adding that his company is continuing to invest in its infrastructure to improve its operating efficiencies and to meet its customers' demands.