MUNICH, GERMANY--(Marketwire - Dec 17, 2012) - Linde AG / Linde acquires homecare company Calea France SAS . Processed and transmitted by Thomson Reuters ONE. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

* Annual revenue in 2011: EUR 28 m

* Will complement Linde's existing operations in the European homecare market

The technology company The Linde Group has signed an agreement to acquire the homecare company Calea France SAS (Sèvres, France). Calea generated revenue in the 2011 financial year of EUR 28 m with around 200 employees. The transaction is expected to be completed at the beginning of 2013.

Calea will complement the European homecare operations acquired by Linde from Air Products in spring. The acquisition will significantly improve Linde's position on the French homecare market.

Homecare is the term applied to medical services relating to the treatment of patients in settings other than hospitals. It comprises respiratory services such as oxygen therapy, sleep therapy and ventilation services. In France, Linde's portfolio also includes Infusion, Nutrition and Insulin Therapy.

Calea is Linde's third acquisition in 2012 in the promising healthcare business. In April, the Group acquired Air Products' Continental European homecare business and in August it concluded its purchase of the US homecare company Lincare Inc.

Linde's pro-forma annual revenue in the healthcare product area is now around EUR 3 bn, which makes it the largest supplier of medical gases and related services in the world.

The Linde Group is a world-leading gases and engineering company with around 62,000 employees in more than 100 countries worldwide. In the 2011 financial year, Linde generated revenue of EUR 13.787 bn. The strategy of the Group is geared towards long-term profitable growth and focuses on the expansion of its international business with forward-looking products and services. Linde acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners, employees, society and the environment - in every one of its business areas, regions and locations across the globe. The Group is committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development.

For more information, see The Linde Group online at http://www.linde.com.

Press Release as PDF:

http://hugin.info/125064/R/1665522/540393.pdf

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Source: Linde AG via Thomson Reuters ONE

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