Emitec Supports Mercury Meta One Concept Vehicle with Advanced Aftertreatment Technology

DETROIT, Jan. 11, 2005 -- Emitec Inc. today announced its support of Ford Motor Company's Research and Advanced Engineering (R&A) Mercury Meta One project. The metallic substrate supplier provided substrate design, engineering and prototyping for the Meta One Concept Car currently on display at the 2005 North American International Auto Show.

The diesel electric hybrid concept vehicle developed in Ford R&A's Dearborn Scientific Research Lab demonstrates emissions and fuel economy improvements with the world's first Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV)- capable diesel hybrid.

"Emitec continually evaluates the need for OEM design shifts based on stricter new emissions requirements," said Michael Kerby, president, Emitec Inc. "Collaborating with Ford at the research and development level enables both supplier and OEM to achieve next generation technology that will reach the market more quickly."

Collaborating with Ford R&A for the past six months, Emitec supported the Meta One development with prototype catalyst substrates. Six manifold catalysts were inserted in the manifold runners immediately downstream from the engine exhaust ports and a pre-turbocharger catalyst was installed upstream of the turbine.

Emitec's applied products offer several significant advantages. When a vehicle's engine is first engaged, the catalyst must draw heat from the engine and "warm up" before it can convert emissions to its full potential. Emitec's innovative, thin foil substrates provide more surface area by unit volume at constant cell density, which means catalysts can be smaller, and therefore facilitate faster heat up. Thinner cell walls allow catalysts to more efficiently convert engine exhaust gases. This enables OEMs to install smaller volume catalysts, reducing total system costs, and fitting into areas close to the engine where packaging space is a premium.

In addition to being highly efficient, the compact size of the substrate results in decreased overall platinum catalyst coating which translates to greater system cost savings potential.

Ford R&A plans to continue collaborating with Emitec, investigating additional aftertreatment technologies including innovative structured foils. Emitec's structured foils include a mixer foil (MX) for optimal urea diffusion in selective catalyst reduction (SCR) systems, as well as a perforated/longitudinal structure (PE/LS) foil combination for optimal flow mixing, mass transfer properties and reduced thermal mass. With these innovations, today's standard laminar flow regimes can be improved with high efficiency turbulent flow.

"Emitec has always prided itself on offering ground-breaking technologies to the automotive industry," said Kerby. "Working with Ford's Research and Advanced Engineering team, we have the opportunity to collaborate with an innovative OEM to advance the evolution of automotive technology."

Emitec GmbH is the leading designer and manufacturer of metallic substrates and diesel particulate filters for exhaust aftertreatment and evaporative emissions. Founded in 1986, Emitec is headquartered in Lohmar, Germany and currently holds more than 1,400 international patents. The company's North American operations, Emitec Inc., are headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich. Manufacturing facilities are located in Fountain Inn, S.C. as well as Lohmar and Thueringen, Germany.