Praxair Distribution, Inc.,, Danbury, CT, a subsidiary of Praxair, Inc., announced discount reductions and price increases for its industrial, medical and specialty gas cylinder customers in the U.S. and Canada.

Increases will be up to 30% for helium, fuel gases and rare gases; 15% for argon, hydrogen and carbon dioxide/dry ice; 10% for oxygen, USP oxygen, nitrogen and nitrous oxide; and 15% for cylinder rental and facility fees.
 
Praxair said the price increases were due in part to escalating labor, energy and fuel costs and reflect the limited global availability of raw materials for certain products, particularly helium.

Praxair, Inc. is an industrial gases company with 2007 sales of $9.4 …