WILMINGTON, Del., and MORRIS TOWNSHIP, N.J. - DuPont and Honeywell have announced a global joint development agreement to accelerate the development and commercialization of next-generation, low global warming refrigerants for the automotive air conditioning industry.

The new refrigerants would enable automakers to meet new regulations in Europe that require the use of low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants in mobile air conditioning applications. Today's automotive air conditioners use HFC-134a. The new regulation is scheduled to take effect in 2011 for new model automobiles, with the transition complete by 2017.

Under the agreement, DuPont and Honeywell will jointly identify, develop, test, and qualify new low GWP refrigerants that are cost-effective alternatives to other technologies being considered by the auto industry. Automakers are currently evaluating mobile a/c systems that use such technologies. Ideally, automakers are seeking a commercially viable fluorinated gas solution that is compatible with conventional HFC-134a mobile air conditioning system technology and offers a more cost-effective industry transition versus CO2 technology.

DuPont and Honeywell plan to share resources, investment, and technology as part of the agreement. The companies will work closely with the automotive industry to qualify a low GWP alternative by mid-2007.

For more information on DuPont, visit www.dupont.com. For more information on Honeywell, visit www.honeywell.com.

Publication date:04/02/2007