VW initiates first light-duty diesel vehicle use of advanced Corning filters

CORNING, N.Y.--Nov. 16, 2005--Corning Incorporated announced today that Volkswagen AG is equipping selected European-market diesel passenger cars with a new, advanced diesel particulate filter from Corning Incorporated. This represents the first application of the new Corning DuraTrap(R) AT filter announced earlier this year.

The Corning DuraTrap(R) AT filter will be used in an advanced aftertreatment system available as an option on Golf, Golf Plus and Touran vehicles with a 2.0 TDI (103kW/140PS) engine. Production of vehicles with this advanced particulate filter system commenced in the fourth quarter of 2005. Corning is producing the filter at its manufacturing facilities in Erwin, N.Y.

"We are pleased that Volkswagen has chosen our DuraTrap(R) AT filter for its high-performance clean-diesel passenger cars," said Thomas R. Hinman, vice president and general manager, Diesel Technologies. "This application reinforces our commitment to leveraging Corning's unique capabilities to advance the state of emissions aftertreatment systems."

Hinman added, "There continues to be very strong interest in our new DuraTrap AT filter and we remain engaged in discussions with a number of additional passenger car manufacturers. We are optimistic that we will have additional commercial applications for our AT product next year."

The Corning DuraTrap AT filter uses an advanced aluminum titanate composition to deliver excellent thermal shock resistance and performance under demanding conditions. This new filter also uses a monolithic (single unit) structure to promote long-term durability, and it incorporates a unique cell configuration to improve ash storage for enhanced filter life.

"The diesel products market is a very exciting and promising opportunity for Corning's Environmental Technologies segment," Peter F. Volanakis, chief operating officer, said. "We continue to believe that the global diesel products market could grow into a $1 billion market by 2008 as numerous new clean-air standards take effect around the world."

Corning is a leading supplier of advanced particulate filters and catalytic converter substrates to all of the world's major manufacturers of diesel and gasoline engines and vehicles. The company invented an economical, high-performance cellular ceramic substrate in the early 1970s that is now the standard for catalytic converters worldwide. Corning was awarded the US National Medal of Technology for its invention of the cellular ceramic substrate. In 1978, Corning developed a cellular ceramic particulate filter to remove soot from diesel emissions.

About Corning Incorporated

Corning Incorporated (www.corning.com) is a diversified technology company that concentrates its efforts on high-impact growth opportunities. Corning combines its expertise in specialty glass, ceramic materials, polymers and the manipulation of the properties of light, with strong process and manufacturing capabilities to develop, engineer and commercialize significant innovative products for the telecommunications, flat panel display, environmental, semiconductor, and life sciences industries.