<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001193125-17-254871.txt : 20171003
<SEC-HEADER>0001193125-17-254871.hdr.sgml : 20171003
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20170810215403
<PRIVATE-TO-PUBLIC>
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001193125-17-254871
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	CORRESP
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
FILED AS OF DATE:		20170810

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LINDE PLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001707925
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	INDUSTRIAL INORGANIC CHEMICALS [2810]
		IRS NUMBER:				000000000
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			L2
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		CORRESP

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		THE PRIESTLEY CENTRE, 10 PRIESTLEY RD
		CITY:			GUILDFORD
		STATE:			X0
		ZIP:			GU27XY
		BUSINESS PHONE:		00441483242200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		THE PRIESTLEY CENTRE, 10 PRIESTLEY RD
		CITY:			GUILDFORD
		STATE:			X0
		ZIP:			GU27XY

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ZAMALIGHT PLC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20170622

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	PRAXAIR
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20170614

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ZAMALIGHT PLC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20170530
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>CORRESP
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>filename1.htm
<TEXT>
<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>CORRESP</TITLE>
</HEAD>
 <BODY BGCOLOR="WHITE">


<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:9pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="50%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="48%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:9pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">


<IMG SRC="g283276g80b45.gif" ALT="LOGO">
</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="font-size:9pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:9pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>125 Broad Street</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:9pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>New York, NY 10004-2498</B></P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:9pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">TELEPHONE: 1-212-558-4000</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:9pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">FACSIMILE: 1-212-558-3588</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="middle"><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:9pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">LOS ANGELES &#149; PALO ALTO &#149; WASHINGTON, D.C.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:9pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:9pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:9pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">WWW.SULLCROM.COM</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">FRANKFURT &#149; LONDON &#149; PARIS</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:9pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:9pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">BEIJING &#149; HONG KONG &#149; TOKYO</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:9pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:9pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center">MELBOURNE &#149; SYDNEY</TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right">August&nbsp;10, 2017 </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><U>VIA EDGAR AND HAND DELIVERY </U></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">United States Securities
and Exchange Commission, </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:2%; text-indent:2%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Division of Corporation Finance, </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">100 F. Street, N.E., </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:8%; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Washington, D.C. 20549. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Attention: Ms.&nbsp;Pamela Long, Assistant Director </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="13%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">Re:</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Linde plc; Praxair, Inc.; Linde AG; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:13%; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed
on June&nbsp;5, 2017 </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:13%; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><U>(File No 333-218485)</U> </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Dear Ms.&nbsp;Long: </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">On behalf of Linde plc
(formerly known as Zamalight plc) (the &#147;<U>Company</U>&#148;), enclosed please find a copy of Amendment No.&nbsp;4 (&#147;<U>Amendment No.&nbsp;4</U>&#148;) to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the &#147;<U>Registration
Statement</U>&#148;), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;<U>Commission</U>&#148;) on EDGAR on the date hereof, marked to show changes from Amendment No.&nbsp;3 to the Registration Statement filed with the Commission on
August&nbsp;7, 2017. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The changes reflected in Amendment No.&nbsp;4 include those made in response to the comments of the staff of the
Commission (the &#147;<U>Staff</U>&#148;) set forth in the Staff&#146;s letter of August&nbsp;8, 2017 (the &#147;<U>Comment Letter</U>&#148;). Amendment No.&nbsp;4 also includes other changes that are intended to update, clarify and render more
complete the information contained therein. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The numbered responses that follow relate to the questions set forth in the Comment Letter,
which are reproduced below in bold print. The responses follow each reproduced comment. All references to page numbers and captions (other than those in the Staff&#146;s comments) correspond to the page numbers and captions in Amendment No.&nbsp;4.
</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">* * * * </P>

<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">



<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">

<TR>
<TD WIDTH="50%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="48%"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Ms. Long</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">-2-</TD></TR></TABLE> <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P>
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><U>Index to Linde AG Group Financial Statements, page F.3-1 </U></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><U>[1] Basis of preparation and accounting policies, page F.3-11 </U></B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>1.</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><B>We note your response to comment 3 in our letter dated August&nbsp;3, 2017. Please help us understand how you determined that the fair value of the liability from share-based payment transactions is
&#128;15&nbsp;million as of June&nbsp;30, 2017. In this regard, we note that the exercise price is &#128;2.56&nbsp;per award and that your trading price as of June&nbsp;30, 2017 was &#128;165.80&nbsp;per share. Further, we note your disclosure on
page 43 that the fair value of the equity awards held by the Linde executive board and one employee covering 90,629 Linde shares in the aggregate have a fair value of &#128;31.11&nbsp;million as of August&nbsp;3, 2017. As part of your response,
please tell us the amount of cash that is anticipated to be paid out for these equity awards in accordance with the business combination. Please expand your disclosure for this modification to your equity awards to disclose that the liability
recognized is the fair value along with how you estimated the fair value as of June&nbsp;30, 2017 and the number of equity awards that management believes to be the best available estimate of the number of equity instruments expected to vest.
</B></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In response to the Staff&#146;s comment, the Company has revised the disclosure on pages 24, 43, 183, ALT-159 and F.3-11
of Amendment No.&nbsp;4. Additionally, the Company is providing the following additional explanations requested by the Staff. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Determination of the &#128;15&nbsp;million fair value liability and estimated cash payment </I></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Company respectfully advises the Staff that the LTIP awards require a service period of four years. The awards comprise matching share
awards and share option awards. Half of the share option awards is subject to a performance condition based on the achievement of an earnings per share target (&#147;<U>EPS</U>&#148;) while the other half of the share option awards is subject to a
market condition based on total shareholder return (&#147;<U>TSR</U>&#148;) compared to the corresponding return of entities comprising the German DAX30 stock market index. In determining the fair value of the LTIP liability, we considered the
excess of the per share price of &#128;163.24 over the per share exercise price of &#128;2.56 and, for each tranche of share option awards issued in each of the respective years, the probability of achieving the EPS and TSR targets. In estimating
the probability of achieving the targets, we considered Linde&#146;s (i)&nbsp;actual achievement through the measurement date and (ii)&nbsp;expected achievement for the period after the measurement date and through the vesting date. The level of
expected achievement was determined in light of Linde&#146;s historical performance achievement against the EPS and TSR targets. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">



<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">

<TR>
<TD WIDTH="50%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="48%"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Ms. Long</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">-3-</TD></TR></TABLE> <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P>
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Based on the plan conditions, at June&nbsp;30, 2017 around 259 thousand of the total number
of options granted (around 1,036 thousand options) were expected to become vested&#151;assuming an overall target achievement of around 25%. The percentage of service period elapsed compared to the total service period averaged 22%, so that in total
around 57 thousand shares were recognized for fair valuation (259 thousand x 22%). These 57 thousand shares lead to a total fair value of liability of around &#128;9.3&nbsp;million (&#128;165.8&nbsp;-&#128;2.56 x 57 thousand). Furthermore the
obligation out of the matching share program amounted to around &#128;5.9 million. This was calculated based on the percentage of service period elapsed compared to the total service period (an average of 35%) multiplied by the share price as at
June&nbsp;30, 2017 (&#128;165.8)&nbsp;multiplied by the number of matching shares granted (around 101 thousand). In total the liability to be recognized was around &#128;15.2 million. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Company does not believe the cash payments related to the LTIP liability that will be required at the consummation of the business
combination will be material. Any changes, which are not expected to be material, will relate primarily to stock price changes and service performed. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Page 43 Information </I></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In
response to the Staff&#146;s comment, the Company respectfully advises the Staff that the information on page 43 of Amendment No. 4 discloses the quantification of a risk factor arising from the interests of members of Linde&#146;s executive board
and supervisory board in the proposed transaction, which was not calculated as a compensation expense in accordance with the principles of IFRS. Rather, as indicated in the disclosure, the quantification of the risk factor takes into account all
Linde shares and LTIP awards held by the members of Linde&#146;s executive board and supervisory board, calculated based on the potential value of the LTIP awards assuming completion of all applicable service periods and maximum achievement of all
EPS and TSR targets. The quantification of the risk factor was also determined as of August&nbsp;3, 2017 in Amendment No.&nbsp;3 and has been determined as of August&nbsp;8, 2017 in Amendment No. 4, each a date subsequent to the most recent
financial statements. Whereas the fair value liability of &#128;15&nbsp;million recorded on the balance sheet at June&nbsp;30, 2017 relates to LTIP awards (of all LTIP participants, including board members) only, the &#128;31 million amount (now
&#128;31.10 million instead of &#128;31.11 million due to a sale of 17 shares resulting in a rounding change) disclosed on page 43 of Amendment No. 4 reflects the value of shareholdings in addition to equity awards by members of the executive board
and supervisory board on the assumption of full vesting of all equity awards held by those members. Therefore, these amounts are not comparable and are presented for different purposes. However, the Company respectfully advises the Staff that it has
revised the disclosure on page 183 of Amendment No.&nbsp;4 to further clarify this distinction. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">



<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">

<TR>
<TD WIDTH="50%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="48%"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Ms. Long</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right">-4-</TD></TR></TABLE> <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P>
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Any questions or comments with respect to the Registration Statement may be communicated to
the undersigned at (212)&nbsp;558-4175 or by email (clarkinc@sullcrom.com), Keith A. Pagnani at (212)&nbsp;558-4397 or by email (pagnanik@sullcrom.com), Krishna Veeraraghavan at (212)&nbsp;558-7931 or by email (veeraraghavank@sullcrom.com), David
Mercado at +44 20 7453 1060 or by email (dmercado@cravath.com), Richard Hall at (212)&nbsp;474-1293 or by email (rhall@cravath.com), or Aaron M. Gruber at (212)&nbsp;474-1456 or by email (agruber@cravath.com). Please send copies of any
correspondence relating to this filing to Catherine M. Clarkin by email and facsimile, at (212)&nbsp;291-9025, with the original by mail to Sullivan&nbsp;&amp; Cromwell LLP, 125 Broad Street, New York, New York 10004. </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><DIV ALIGN="right">
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="40%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="100%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Yours truly,</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000">/s/ Catherine M. Clarkin</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Catherine M. Clarkin</P></TD></TR>
</TABLE></DIV> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(Enclosure) </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">cc:</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Christina E. Chalk </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Frank J. Pigott </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Tracey Houser </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Terence
O&#146;Brien </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(Securities and Exchange Commission) </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Christopher Cossins </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Andrew
Brackfield </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(Linde plc) </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Guillermo Bichara </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(Praxair,
Incorporated) </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Dr.&nbsp;Christoph Hammerl </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(Linde Aktiengesellschaft) </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Keith A. Pagnani </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Krishna
Veeraraghavan </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(Sullivan&nbsp;&amp; Cromwell LLP) </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">



<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">

<TR>
<TD WIDTH="50%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="48%"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Ms. Long</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right"> -
 5
-</TD></TR></TABLE> <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P>
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">David Mercado </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Richard Hall </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Aaron M. Gruber
</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(Cravath, Swaine&nbsp;&amp; Moore LLP) </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P>

</BODY></HTML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>GRAPHIC
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>g283276g80b45.gif
<DESCRIPTION>GRAPHIC
<TEXT>
begin 644 g283276g80b45.gif
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M,I%2 "ZDHAOY&,@A?I )8 RD LL('"X%<@%K "$/_#M#*N1AAPE\H ,:_J#
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M#2@("9.$?E!G; #  C:0"F'0"$"P#0OF%2)@!-V@#;8S "T0!)G !4&0 SJ
M6(!!"9DP3]M%$!G@.0,!8N+0 C10!EB0"DF@  -! %F0"F)0;0;1 &R0"E#0
M&ZCP"6&P #"  [@P#T"0#;/  ;(PA 7Q #Y #W4P!X(P" !0 IL@#I; !8(
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M 2Y0JKA #!: IAO0 5L0!#H:BJ_$!G4& "F@DED@6 "P 5(0.-RP 0(P "1
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M)& '+W 'EX('>: "_@N@!WMP!GS0!W[P!T3Q 7[ !H 0"( I"$(P"!"$ 83
MQ(5@"%6J A;0&X> "%-P!'B0"(D6  90 V)P!&*@"&L4!U6P"$; !8P0!0,Q
M HW@"&=P!D<SPC;0!)" !27  (30!Y<B!".<!'<W"#0@"46P!&<@!$TPPDX
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F]QS"/=S$7=S&?=S(G=S*O=S,W=S._=S0'=W2"#W=U%W=U!T0 #L!

end
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
