Valeo launches a new photo-catalytic filtering system - a breath of fresh air for all car occupants

Frankfurt, Germany, September 18 -- Valeo today launched a new photo-catalytic filtering system for air conditioning systems that achieves significant improvements in cabin air quality. This innovative new filtering system complements Valeo's existing comprehensive range of vehicle air conditioning systems that ensure the well-being and comfort of vehicle occupants at all times.

This summer's heat wave across much of Europe reinforced the consumer benefits of climate control in vehicles. The heat wave, and associated high pollution levels, have raised the awareness of, and demand for, comfortable driving environments with a plentiful supply of high quality cabin air at any pre-selected temperature.

"Valeo is bringing high technology solutions to the problem of air quality so that the comfort and safety of all vehicle users will be enhanced" said Thierry Morin, Valeo Chairman & Chief Executive Officer. "With a range of air - quality products already available and new technologies under development, Valeo is well placed to meet the growing demand for a 'breath of fresh air' for all car users."

Valeo has addressed a major performance shortfall of conventional combined filter designs. Although they initially provide a high degree of protection against harmful gases, their efficiency decreases significantly over time as they become clogged with contaminants.

To ensure maximum protection for vehicle occupants against harmful external gases, odours and micro-organisms, Valeo Climate Control has applied new technology to achieve superior in-cabin air quality. The new photo-catalytic filtering system uses ultra-violet illumination combined with a special filter coating that is based on TiO2. This technology allows the system to destroy harmful gas molecules and regenerate the carbon within the filtration element. The full photo-catalytic filtration system consists of a filter unit, an electronic command and control - which can be integrated in the control panel, and an air quality sensor.

The major advantage of the new Valeo photo-catalytic filtration system is its efficient operating performance. It is designed to maintain a high level of protection against harmful gases throughout its installed life. When, due to the particle clogging effect, a routine filter element change is required; gas filtration efficiency is still very high, at up to 90 percent compared to less than 60 percent for a standard combined filter.

This high gas filtration efficiency is maintained over a very long service life since the photo-catalytic filter has a typical life of 2,000 hours or 100,000 kilometres, equivalent to approximately five years average vehicle use.

Valeo anticipates that the new photo-catalytic filtration system will allow car manufacturers to provide car users with improved health protection against gas pollutants in the near future.

The photo-catalysis concept co-developed by Valeo has already been awarded the prestigious French 2001 PREDIT-Award in the innovation category.

Valeo is exhibiting at the 60th IAA International Motor Show on stand D02 in hall 8.

Valeo is an independent industrial Group fully focused on the design, production and sale of components, integrated systems and modules for cars and trucks.

Valeo ranks among the world's top automotive suppliers. The Group has 130 plants, 54 R&D centres, 9 distribution centres and employs 69,000 people in 25 countries worldwide.