MECA releases diesel retrofit sales figures for 2010

7 July 2011

The Manufacturers of Emission Controls Association (MECA) released the results of its survey summarizing the total number of diesel retrofit devices sold by MECA member companies in 2010. The total number of US EPA- and/or California ARB-verified diesel retrofit devices for both on-road and off-road diesel engines sold in the United States (including California) was 24,640.

Of this total, 41% (10,173) were diesel particulate filters (includes both passively regenerated and actively regenerated filters), 40% (9,926) were diesel oxidation catalysts, and 8% (1,961) were flow-through filters (particle oxidation catalysts). This total also includes 2,580 closed-crankcase filters. In California, 7,487 diesel retrofit devices were sold, of which 77% (5,745) were diesel particulate filters and 23% (1,730) were particle oxidation catalysts.

Compared to the results of MECA’s previous surveys, the number of diesel particulate filters and diesel oxidation catalysts sold in 2010 remained about the same. 20,099 diesel particulate filters and diesel oxidation catalysts were sold in the USA by MECA member companies in 2010, 20,197 in 2009, 22,300 in 2008, and 20,553 in 2007. Although sales of diesel retrofit devices have remained steady, these numbers are relatively small compared to the overall diesel engine population in the United States, estimated at up to 20 million, noted MECA.

An important source of funding for diesel retrofits had been the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) through EPA’s National Clean Diesel Campaign. Approximately $531 million was appropriated from FY 2007 to FY 2011, including $300 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. DERA was re-authorized for FY 2012-2016, but no funding has been appropriated for 2011. “We are hopeful that Congress will act to include funding for DERA in EPA’s FY 2012 budget,” said MECA’s Executive Director, Joseph Kubsh.

In California, ARB’s in-use on-road diesel vehicle regulation and in-use off-road diesel vehicle regulation are expected to generate additional demand for diesel retrofit devices—primarily diesel particulate filters, said MECA. However, amendments to the regulations approved in December 2010 meant to give fleets more time to comply due to the economic recession will slow the pace of retrofit sales and depress the total retrofit market opportunity in the state.

MECA also released a new fact sheet on retrofitting diesel particulate filters on existing diesel engines that debunks some common myths associated with the use of these devices.

Source: MECA