Asahi Glass and Catalytic Solutions in Diesel Development Agreement

    TOKYO AND OXNARD, Calif--Feb. 24, 2003--Asahi Glass Co., Ltd. (AGC), and Catalytic Solutions, Inc. (CSI), have entered into an agreement to develop new catalyzed diesel particulate filters based upon AGC's novel silicon nitride substrate technology and CSI's unique MPC(R) catalyst. This agreement reflects the special relationship between the companies, intended to leverage each party's technical and commercial expertise and knowledge towards innovative and effective product offerings. Initially, the companies intend to work closely with European automobile manufacturers for applications on light duty diesel-powered vehicles for the European market.
    Advanced diesel engines offer significant fuel economy advantages over gasoline engines and emit lower levels of carbon dioxide. However, concern over the health and environmental impacts associated with the fine particulate emissions from diesel-vehicles has been mounting worldwide. Technologies are being studied that attempt to overcome this critical problem. These involve trapping or filtering of particulates and their subsequent destruction or conversion using either a fuel-borne catalyst or a catalyst positioned directly on the filter. Existing filter and catalyzed filter products used to control these emissions are expensive and marginally effective. The goal of the AGC/CSI development program is a family of products for auto manufacturers that are cost effective, easy to use and that meet and exceed the new emission regulations that have been mandated in Europe for the control of these fine particulates.
    "The signing of this agreement represents a unique opportunity to develop synergies between our catalyst technology and Asahi's breakthrough filter substrate," states Dr. Steve Golden, Chairman and Chief Technology Officer of CSI. "The developed product will offer a best-in-class solution for automobile and truck manufacturers and provide a real benefit to the environment."
    "The opportunity to cooperate with CSI in the CDPF field is very exciting. We are expecting our unique DPF substrate characteristics will be enhanced by CSI technologies. The developed product will improve environmental impact," states Dr. H. Takahashi, DPF Project Manager of AGC.

    About AGC

    Asahi Glass Company, Limited, was established in 1907 and was Japan's first commercial manufacturer of flat glass. Since then, the Company has expanded its operations to include chemicals, as well as glass for construction materials, automobiles, and display glass for cathode ray tubes, liquid crystal displays, plasma display panels and other applications. Capitalizing on its glass materials and processing technologies, the Company also diversified into the electronics field. Today, Asahi Glass is a multinational company with operations centering on glass, electronics and displays, and chemicals, and a global network of 200 subsidiaries and affiliates in Japan and 24 other countries. Further information on the Company can be found at www.agc.co.jp/english.

    About CSI

    Catalytic Solutions, Inc., is a global developer and manufacturer of advanced catalytic coating solutions. The unique and proprietary Mixed Phase Catalyst (MPC(R)) catalytic coating technology is fundamentally different from other approaches and enables CSI to produce catalyst formulations with superior catalytic performance, greater durability and cost-effectiveness for a wide range of environmental applications. Precise mass-production methods assure excellent coating control and predictable performance. CSI is a privately held company with corporate headquarters in Oxnard, California, and offices in Michigan, the United Kingdom and Japan. For more information, visit www.catalyticsolutions.com.