Engelhard's Duracat(TM) small-engine catalysts significantly reduce harmful hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions from small, two- and four-stroke gasoline engines used to power a variety of equipment including motorcycles, mopeds, scooters, lawnmowers, chainsaws, trimmers and other lawn and garden power tools.
Engelhard already completed its first sale of the technology, which involved more than one million units to a major global manufacturer who will install the technology on its lawn and garden power equipment.
"The small-engine market requires ingenious, low-cost solutions for pollution control," said Dr. Bulent Yavuz, commercial manager for environmental technologies at Engelhard. "Our customers' products can sell for as low as $60 in the case of a lawn trimmer, so an emission-control system cannot add much cost or complexity. Engelhard has developed an elegant way to help small engine manufacturers cost-effectively reduce emissions."
Duracat features proprietary technology that provides greater flexibility and durability by modifying substrate surfaces on which the catalyst is adhered. It enables the use of a wide array of substrate design and materials, including lower cost ones that traditionally could not be used in small-engine applications due to design and high-temperature usage limitations. The enhanced durability of Duracat also reduces the amount of precious metal used in the catalyst formulations.
Duracat leverages technical capabilities and experience Engelhard gained in pioneering emission-control technology for cars and motorcycles.
Catalysts are currently required on all two-stroke motorcycle engines In Europe, Taiwan and India. In Europe, many four-stroke motorcycles also presently require catalysts, and new standards will require all of these vehicles to be outfitted with catalysts beginning in 2006. China is expected to adopt similar rules after 2005. In the United States, regulations beginning in 2006 will lead to catalyst use on most four-stroke motorcycles.
Emissions from small utility engines used in lawn and garden equipment are also targets of legislation. In the U.S., regulations on these engines first came into effect in 2002 and are being phased in through 2007, with additional emission reductions required each year. Europe is expected to implement small utility engine standards in 2007.
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.