ABI Research Predicts 500% Growth Rate For Automotive Diesel Particulate Filters By 2010

LONDON, UK — April 14, 2004 — Stronger emissions standards worldwide are poised to substantially increase the demand for automotive catalysts. Upcoming Euro 4 emissions standards mean that many premium, diesel-powered vehicles will need to be outfitted with diesel particulate filter (DPF) systems from the factory. ABI Research reports that this is only the beginning of increased demand for advanced exhaust catalyst systems.

"Diesel particulate filters, selective catalytic reduction, and de-NOx systems are all going to increase dramatically in use in the coming years" explains ABI Research analyst Dan Benjamin. "These will be required to deal with soot, sulfur, and NOx. Be it urea, platinum, rhodium, or other advanced material, these systems will increase the demand for precious metals and ceramics. The use of these systems will not be limited to diesels, as more stringent emissions standards and new engine technologies will see the installation of some of these systems into petrol-fueled vehicles as well."

Since ceramics and catalysts are expensive materials, the unit costs for emissions treatment systems tends to be quite high. ABI Research finds that the worldwide DPF market for passenger vehicles alone could increase in value to over € 2.5 Billion by 2010. While Europe is the market leader in diesel vehicles sales and production, other locals could actually see a higher penetration rate of these technologies. Emerging stricter diesel emissions standards in the US and Japan will necessitate the installation of DPFs on all vehicles, while they remain optional on vehicles in Europe. The market stood at less than € 100 million in 2003.

The new report, "Engine Management Systems: Emerging Markets for Advanced Exhaust, Fuel, and Intake Technologies," examines engine technologies for diesel and petrol powered vehicles, including variable valve timing, direct injection, cylinder deactivation and emissions systems, with regional forecasts through 2010.

Founded in 1990 and headquartered in New York, ABI Research maintains global operations that support annual research programs, quarterly intelligence services and market reports in wireless, automotive, semiconductors, broadband, and energy. Their market research products can be found on the web at www.abiresearch.com.