Engelhard Technology Enables Carmakers to Meet New Evaporative Emissions Standards

ISELIN, N.J.--July 31, 2003--New technology developed by Engelhard Corporation will provide carmakers with an additional tool to meet increasingly stringent California and federal standards for evaporative emissions that begin to take effect in 2004.

Evaporative emissions are hydrocarbon (HC) vapors that come from sources in an automobile other than the exhaust system. Major sources of evaporative emissions include an automobile's air intake system, fuel rail, exhaust gas recirculation system and gas tank.

With today's efficient exhaust emission controls and cleaner gasoline formulations, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that evaporative emissions can account for the majority of the total hydrocarbon pollution from current model cars on hot days when ozone (smog) levels are highest.

Engelhard's hydrocarbon trapping technology, which prevents a large amount of evaporative emissions from reaching the environment, enables automakers to comply with tough, new regulations. Under a phase-in schedule beginning next year, carmakers will be required to dramatically reduce evaporative emissions - by 52.5% for the EPA's Tier 2 program and by 75% for California's LEV II program. All gasoline-powered vehicles will be required to meet the new standards by 2007.

"This technology arose out of our customers' need for a highly effective, cost efficient and durable way to reduce evaporative emissions," said Paul Lamb, vice president for Environmental Technologies at Engelhard. "We were able to build on our extensive experience in hydrocarbon reduction to develop a unique approach to the problem."

The new technology is another example of Engelhard's expertise in the application of surface and materials science employed to solve customers' requirements. In this case, the company developed a proprietary zeolite based on its earlier successes in reducing "cold- start" emissions (pollution that escapes a car in the first minute or so after ignition.) This new zeolite has a high capacity for hydrocarbons, which are trapped within its pores and channels. Engelhard coats the zeolite onto a substrate using a special binder that provides excellent adhesion.

This "hydrocarbon trap" is placed between a car's air cleaner and engine where it can capture hydrocarbons that are escaping through the air intake. This position is optimal because the air intake system contributes as much as 50% of total evaporative emissions.

The trap adsorbs hydrocarbons that are emitted when the engine is stopped. Once the car is started and driven, the trap releases the hydrocarbons into the engine where they are burned. In this way, the new hydrocarbon trap continually regenerates itself.

The new hydrocarbon trap is designed to remain effective for 150,000 miles, and be tamper proof so it does not require the use of costly on board diagnostics (OBD) equipment. The trap also has minimal impact on airflow into the engine and can withstand exposure to ice, water, salt, dust, air filter surfactant and engine backfire.

Several major car companies are currently evaluating the technology, and Engelhard will begin initial commercial production later this year.

Engelhard Corporation is a surface and materials science company that develops technologies to improve customers' products and processes. A Fortune 500 company, Engelhard is a world-leading provider of technologies for environmental, process, appearance and performance applications. For more information, visit Engelhard on the Internet at www.engelhard.com.