Find Out How - Feature Story

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Find Out How - Feature Story

Dow Automotive Is Helping to Improve Air Quality, One Vehicle at a Time

At a Glance: With a current industry and consumer focus on reducing CO₂ emissions and improving fuel economy, Dow Automotive anticipates the growth of diesel-powered vehicles. In response, Dow has developed diesel particulate filter (DPF) technology that helps to reduce soot emissions and increase fuel efficiency of diesel engines. Last year, the diesel-powered Audi R10 with DPF technology became the first-ever diesel sports car to win at the “Sebring international endurance” and “Le Mans 24-hours endurance” races.

August 2007

A couple of teenagers in a backseat of a vehicle

For years, advocating cleaner air has been a mandate of regulatory agencies and a source of inspiration at Dow Automotive. Dow’s diesel particulate filter (DPF) technology helps reduce soot emissions, and promote exceptional fuel efficiency and performance from diesel engines.

Dow’s DPF helps make diesel a cleaner alternative power source

Dow’s DPF system features a chemically-treated, advanced ceramic honeycomb – with a distinct microstructure. It is robust, light-weight and highly porous, and yields low back pressure and high tolerance to ash.

The lower back pressure makes it possible to create even smaller filters while still delivering exceptional performance and a lower overall emissions system cost. This filter complements other diesel upgrades like the development of ultra-low sulfur fuels, and by helping to reduce soot emissions, makes diesel a cleaner alternative power source.

DPF helps reduce CO₂ emissions and improves fuel economy

“With the implementation of cleaner diesel fuels, particulate filtration systems and a greater focus on CO₂ emissions and fuel economy, we anticipate the growth of the use of diesel-powered vehicles in all regions of the world,” said Gary Lawrey, Vice President of Emissions at Dow Automotive. “Dow’s differentiated filter technology supports Dow’s 2015 Sustainability Goals and our customers’ needs.”

DPF performance is successfully demonstrated in racecars

The DPF technology was demonstrated last year in the Audi R10 diesel racecar at the Sebring international endurance race in Florida. The Audi won becoming the first-ever diesel sports car to win a motor sports race.

Audi Sport and Dow Automotive also made history with the first-ever diesel sports car win at the Le Mans 24-hour endurance race held in France, in June 2006.

“Racing subjects the car to the most extreme operating conditions possible,” said Lawrey. “This demonstrated the durability and excellent performance of Dow’s particulate filtration system!”

Dow Automotive plans to commercialize this technology in late 2009.