Low-Global-Warming-Potential Alternative Meets New European Environmental
Regulations
MORRIS TOWNSHIP, N.J., and WILMINGTON, Del., May 20, 2010 – Honeywell
(NYSE: HON) and DuPont (NYSE: DD) today announced a manufacturing
joint venture to produce a new refrigerant for use in automotive air
conditioning systems. The new refrigerant has 99.7 percent lower global warming
potential (GWP) than the current refrigerant.
Under the agreement, DuPont and Honeywell will share financial and
technological resources with the intent to jointly design, construct and
operate a world-scale manufacturing facility for the new refrigerant, known as
HFO-1234yf. The product meets European Union regulatory requirements for lower
GWP refrigerants for automobile air conditioning systems. DuPont and Honeywell
developed the product jointly but will market and sell it separately.
“Through this manufacturing partnership, Honeywell and DuPont will deliver
to the automobile industry this environmentally preferable solution that meets
both operational and regulatory requirements. Globally, consumers will benefit
from this new technology, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions,” said
Terrence Hahn, vice president and general manager for Honeywell’s Fluorine
Products business. “This complements Honeywell’s significant energy efficiency
and environmental solutions portfolio, which is positioned to deliver
efficiency advantages to a wide array of industries while benefiting the
environment.”
“The new refrigerant enables the automotive industry to reduce the
environmental footprint of vehicles at significantly lower cost than
alternatives,” said Gary W. Spitzer, president – DuPont Chemicals &
Fluoroproducts. “By working together with Honeywell, DuPont is confident we’ll
have the winning combination to enable the industry to realize environmental
benefits sooner. DuPont’s role in the introduction of HFO-1234yf is another
great example of the innovation DuPont has brought to the automotive industry
for nearly a century.”
This venture follows an earlier joint development agreement under which the
two companies developed the product. The joint venture announced today is
designed to provide DuPont and Honeywell with a world-class source of supply to
meet the growing demand faster than would be possible through either company’s
individual efforts.
Today’s automotive air conditioners use hydrofluorocarbon HFC-134a, which
has a GWP of 1430. The European Union’s Mobile Air Conditioning Directive
requires that, starting in 2011, all new vehicle models use a refrigerant with
a GWP below 150, and by 2017, all new automobiles sold in Europe will be
required to use a low-GWP refrigerant. The new refrigerant, developed by DuPont
and Honeywell, has a GWP of 4, which is 97 percent less GWP than the new
regulation requires.
Prior to construction of a world-scale plant, the joint venture will begin
supplying the refrigerant in the fourth quarter of 2011 in time to meet the
European Union regulatory requirement.
Honeywell and DuPont introduced HFO-1234yf to the automotive industry in
2007, and since then, it has undergone extensive testing for safety and
efficacy by independent testing groups such as the SAE International
Cooperative Research Program, in which leading automakers participate.
The SAE testing found the product offers environmental performance superior
to carbon dioxide, an alternative refrigerant, while having “the lowest risk
for use in mobile air conditioning systems in meeting environmental and
consumer needs.”
According to industry estimates, there are more than 400 million cars with
air conditioning systems globally, with each system using between one half and
one kilogram of refrigerant. Air conditioning systems using HFO-1234yf,
developed by DuPont and Honeywell, are more energy efficient than carbon
dioxide-based air conditioning systems, particularly at high ambient
temperature conditions.
Honeywell International is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and
manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and
services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive
products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Based in Morris Township,
N.J., Honeywell’s shares are traded on the New York, London, and Chicago Stock
Exchanges.
Honeywell Specialty Materials is a global leader in providing customers with
high-performance specialty materials, including fluorine products; specialty
films and additives; advanced fibers and composites; intermediates; specialty
chemicals; electronic materials and chemicals; and technologies and materials
for petroleum refining.
DuPont – one of the first companies to publicly establish environmental
goals 20 years ago – has broadened its sustainability commitments beyond
internal footprint reduction to include market-driven targets for both revenue
and research and development investment. The goals are tied directly to
business growth, specifically to the development of safer and environmentally
improved new products for key global markets.
DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802,
DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a
better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in approximately
80 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services
for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction;
communications; and transportation.
For more information on Honeywell, visit: www.honeywell.com
For more information on DuPont, visit: www.dupont.com
This release contains certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking
statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address
activities, events or developments that we or our management intends, expects,
projects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are
forward-looking statements. Such statements are based upon certain assumptions
and assessments made by our management in light of their experience and their
perception of historical trends, current economic and industry conditions,
expected future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate.
The forward-looking statements included in this release are also subject to a
number of material risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to
economic, competitive, governmental, and technological factors affecting our
operations, markets, products, services and prices. Such forward-looking
statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results,
developments and business decisions may differ from those envisaged by such
forward-looking statements.
Media Contacts:
Nina Krauss
Honeywell
973-455-4253
nina.krauss@honeywell.com
Rick Straitman
DuPont
302-999-5226
richard.a.straitman@usa.dupont.com