Engelhard investing in diesel emission control

28 August 2001

Iselin, NJ-based Engelhard Corporation announced launching a multi million dollar program to significantly expand its manufacturing capacity and research and development capabilities for diesel emission control technologies.

“We are undertaking this expansion now to help our customers meet new diesel-emission regulations taking effect around the world over the next six to seven years,” said Barry W. Perry, Engelhard chairman and chief executive officer. “We already have commitments from diesel-engine OEMs, and we expect to be a leading player in this emerging market.”

The investment is driven by legislation regulating emissions from most heavy- and medium-duty diesel engines, adopted in the United States and Europe. US regulations require reductions of more than 90% of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) between now and 2007. European regulations require NOx reductions of 60% and PM reductions of more than 75% by 2008. The first phase of regulations in both regions will begin over the next few years.

Recently awarded orders for diesel oxidation catalysts, in anticipation of the new regulations, are also a driver in Engelhard’s expansion program.

Part of the investment will focus on increasing capacity for the production of environmental catalysts at Engelhard’s operations in Huntsville, AL. The first phase of the manufacturing expansion is scheduled to be complete by fall 2002 in order to meet initial demand.

Engelhard also will install new research and development facilities at its existing engine labs in Union, NJ and Hanover, Germany. These new facilities will be used to develop the technologies needed to meet the extremely low emission levels called for in later phases of the new regulations.

Engelhard’s technology development programs include advanced catalytic particulate filters for PM reduction and selective catalytic reduction, hydrocarbon injection, lean-NOx catalysts and NOx absorbers for NOx reduction.

Source: Engelhard