DuPont and Honeywell are joining forces for a global joint effort to accelerate the development and commercialization of next-generation, low global warming refrigerants for the automotive air conditioning industry.

The new refrigerants would allow automakers to meet new European regulations, which require the use of low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants for mobile air conditioning applications. HFC-134a is used in today’s automotive air conditioners. This new regulation is scheduled to take effect in 2011 new model automobiles, with complete transition by 2017.

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. They plan to share resources, investment and technology as part of the agreement.

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

SOURCE DuPont and Honeywell