Collaboration between ElringKlinger and Gebrüder Kufferath AG in the field of exhaust gas purification technology

DGAP-News: ElringKlinger AG / Key word(s): Product Launch19.02.2014 / 13:19---------------------------------------------------------------------Dettingen/Erms/Düren, February 19, 2014 +++ Automotive supplierElringKlinger AG, Dettingen/Erms, has teamed up with technical weavingspecialist Gebrüder Kufferath AG (GKD), Düren, to work on integratedsealing and filtration solutions in the field of exhaust gas recirculation.The two companies have already concluded a strategic cooperation agreementto pursue this project. While GKD, as a manufacturer of industrial mesh products, will be applyingits expertise in the field of filtration media and sieving devices made ofmetal mesh, ElringKlinger will be contributing its specialist knowledge inthe manufacture of sealing solutions and their integration within complexexhaust gas recirculation (EGR) systems. Customers will benefit from thecollaborative efforts of both companies through end-to-end access to theirknow-how, fully harmonized processes and large-scale serial production. Asa development partner to the majority of international engine and vehiclemanufacturers, ElringKlinger will be responsible for the overall module andwill incorporate the high-performance low-pressure EGR filters made of 3Dmetal wire mesh within its own specialty exhaust gas sealing systems. Thiswill pave the way for efficient integration of filtration sieves, withintegral gaskets/seals, within the exhaust flow system. Exhaust gas recirculation: core technology for lower emissions In response to stricter emission standards in Europe, the automobileindustry has been forced to press ahead with innovative solutions aimed atfurther reducing CO2 emissions and fuel consumption without impairingengine performance. By 2021, the fleet average has to be reduced from 130g/km to 95 g/km. Increasingly, manufacturers are introducing downsizedengines with turbochargers to achieve this goal. The use of turbochargersand exhaust gas recirculation is of central importance to these downsizingconcepts. At a global level, around 40% of new vehicles are to be equippedwith turbochargers by 2018. At the same time, the Euro 6 standard sets out even stricter requirementsfor the reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the exhaust tract. In orderto meet the more stringent limits prescribed for passenger cars as from2014, high-performance systems comprising exhaust gas recirculationtechnologies, diesel oxidation catalysts (DOC), selective catalyticreduction (SCR) units and diesel particulate filters (DPF) will berequired. Low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation in conjunction with highengine loads will play a pivotal role when it comes to achieving future NOxlimits. EGR filters prevent particles produced during the combustion process ororiginating from upstream ceramic exhaust gas filters from entering theturbocharger and damaging components. In combination with the specialtygaskets and seals supplied by ElringKlinger, they protect the engine andturbocharger, in addition to scaling back CO2 emissions as a result of thereduced loss of pressure in the exhaust gas recirculation system. Asregards sales potential, the integrated assemblies are also expected to beparticularly interesting for petrol engines featuring low-pressure exhaustgas recirculation. Customers have already been supplied with the first prototypes. Viabilitytesting for serial production readiness is currently underway. Productionof the first jointly developed components is expected to commence in 2015.ElringKlinger has thus further extended its product range centered aroundturbocharger technology. Initially, the Group is expecting to see a revenuecontribution of EUR 2 to 3 million per annum. Owing to the increasingtechnical importance of exhaust gas recirculation worldwide and thesignificant rise in the number of turbochargers being installed, thecompany believes that its revenue potential in the medium term could be atthe higher end of the single-digit million range.ElringKlinger AG ElringKlinger AG is a development partner and supplier to the internationalautomotive industry. Operating at an international level, the Group's corecompetence is centered around cylinder-head and specialty gaskets for carsand commercial vehicles. In addition, it produces plastic housing modulesand shielding components for engine, transmission and exhaust systemapplications as well as supplying industries beyond the automotive sectorwith products made of high-performance plastics. Alongside components forconventional combustion engines, the Group also supplies innovative partsfor electric drive systems. The portfolio is complemented by exhaust gaspurification technology as well as battery and fuel cell components. TheGroup is acknowledged as the global leader in the field of cylinder-headgaskets and is ranked among the top three suppliers worldwide in the areaof specialty gaskets, shielding technology and plastic housingmodules/elastomer technology. The company's success is a tribute to some6,700 employees based at 42 sites around the globe. ElringKlinger suppliesautomobile manufacturers in Europe, the Americas and Asia. In fiscal 2012,the Group generated sales of approx. EUR 1.13 billion.GKD - GEBR. KUFFERATH AGThe owner-run technical weaving enterprise GKD - GEBR. KUFFERATH AG is theglobal market leader for metal and plastic woven solutions. Under theumbrella of GKD - WORLD WIDE WEAVE, the company has brought together fourindependent business divisions: SOLID WEAVE (industrial mesh), WEAVE INMOTION (process belt mesh), CREATIVE WEAVE (architectural mesh) and COMPACTFILTRATION (compact filtration systems). With its eight plants - includingthe headquarters in Germany and other facilities in the US, the UnitedKingdom, France, South Africa, China, India and Chile - as well as itsbranches in Spain, Dubai, Qatar and worldwide representatives, GKD is neverfar from its customers.camera-ready images can be accessed at:http://www.elringklinger.de/en/metal-layer-metalosealtm-gasketReprinting free of charge. File copy requested.End of Corporate News---------------------------------------------------------------------19.02.2014 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - acompany of EQS Group AG.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.DGAP's Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements,Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de---------------------------------------------------------------------Language:    English                                                 Company:     ElringKlinger AG                                                     Max-Eyth-Straße 2                                                    72581 Dettingen/Erms                                                 Germany                                                 Phone:       071 23 / 724-0                                          Fax:         071 23 / 724-9006                                       E-mail:      stephan.haas@elringklinger.de                           Internet:    www.elringklinger.de                                    ISIN:        DE0007856023                                            WKN:         785602                                                  Indices:     MDAX                                                    Listed:      Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard),                     Stuttgart; Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg,               Hannover, München                                         End of News    DGAP News-Service  ---------------------------------------------------------------------  253295 19.02.2014