Donaldson Company Signs Joint Fuel Cell Development Contract With Leading Japanese Automobile Manufacturer
MINNEAPOLIS--Dec. 10, 2001--Global filtration solutions expert Donaldson Company, Inc. today announced a major development contract with a leading Japanese automobile manufacturer to apply fuel cell-filtration science to fuel cell-powered automobiles, helping accelerate their commercialization. The first commercialized fuel cell vehicles will begin appearing in 2003. Donaldson FC3 products filter intake air and mitigate acoustics in fuel cells, helping a wide range of products - from cell phones to automobiles - make the leap from the laboratory to the marketplace.
The Donaldson FC3 business has more than 25 non-disclosure agreements with fuel cell manufacturers in Europe, North America and Japan.
"Fuel cell developers, including automobile manufacturers, are recognizing the need for intake-air -- or cathode-side -- filtration to ensure fuel cell reliability and performance," said Richard Canepa, director of the Donaldson FC3 business unit. "In all corners of the world, ambient air contains contaminants that can compromise the fuel cell system durability, life and performance. By incorporating current, state-of-the-art, proprietary FC3 technologies, we are making fuel cell-specific products that are cost effective and available today."
Recognizing and Filtering Global Contaminants. Fuel cell development to-date has occurred in the controlled environment of the laboratory, where the air is relatively free of real-world contaminants. Donaldson Company air quality studies conducted on every continent show that ambient air carries enough pollution to adversely affect hydrogen fuel cell reliability. Sub-micrometer-sized particles, salts, oils, chemicals and volatile organic compounds -- which shorten fuel cell life -- are all found in varying degrees in the atmosphere.
Donaldson is working with the Los Alamos National Laboratory to lead fuel cell filtration development. The company has established FC3 offices in North America, Japan, and Europe and is working with multiple fuel cell manufacturers and fuel cell-powered product developers to make the technology a commercially viable power source for a wide range of transportation, residential and portable applications.
For more information about fuel cell engines, visit the Los Alamos fuel cell information page at: http://www.lanl.gov/worldview/science/features/fuelcell.html
About Donaldson Company, Inc.
Donaldson Company, Inc., headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., is a leading worldwide provider of filtration systems and replacement parts. Founded in 1915, Donaldson is a technology-driven company committed to satisfying customer needs for filtration solutions through innovative research and development. Donaldson serves customers in the industrial and engine markets including dust collection, power generation, specialty filtration, off-road equipment and trucks. More than 8,200 employees contribute to the company's success at 40 manufacturing locations around the world. In fiscal year 2001, Donaldson reported record sales of more than $1.1 billion and achieved its 12th consecutive year of double-digit earnings growth. Donaldson is a member of the S&P MidCap 400 Index and Donaldson shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DCI. Additional company information is available at www.donaldson.com.