EvapTrap™ automotive hydrocarbon trap helps OEMs meet LEV III evaporative emissions regulations

ISELIN, NJ, January 14, 2014 – BASF today introduced the innovative EvapTrap™ automotive air intake system hydrocarbon trap. This patented technology is applied directly onto the surface of a vehicle’s air intake box to adsorb engine hydrocarbons without increasing backpressure.

The Air Resources Board of California has adopted new LEV III emissions regulations which go into effect in 2015, requiring automakers to further reduce evaporative emissions. The so-called Super Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEV) standard under these regulations specifies near-zero evaporative emissions.

“The EvapTrap provides a powerful solution to meet pending SULEV evaporative emissions standards while allowing auto manufacturers to use their existing air intake box, thus reducing complexity and cost for the OEM,” said Nick Leclerc, Product Manager, BASF Mobile Emissions Catalysts.

The air intake system is a key source of evaporative emissions for automobiles as hydrocarbons in the engine’s fuel source can leak out through the system when the car is not running.

“Traditional solutions involve adding an activated carbon honeycomb or filter to the air intake box to adsorb the hydrocarbons,” Leclerc said. “However this approach can increase backpressure, reducing horsepower and fuel economy. EvapTrap, on the other hand, addresses the evaporative emissions challenge without any backpressure increase.”

Evaporative emissions are measured in a “SHED” (Sealed Housing for Evaporative Determination) test, which is a drive-in chamber built for the purpose of testing the fuel emissions of a vehicle that are not related to engine exhaust. The EvapTrap has been successfully SHED-tested and proven to offer adhesion durability to all air intake box materials, including polypropylene. It is also a tamper-proof solution.

The EvapTrap is part of BASF’s SULEV System Solutions portfolio which includes advanced TWC (Three Way Conversion) catalysts, PremAir® direct ozone reduction catalysts and FWC™ (Four Way Conversion) catalysts to meet the tightest emission regulations.

About BASF’s Catalysts Division

BASF’s Catalysts division is the world’s leading supplier of environmental and process catalysts. The group offers exceptional expertise in the development of technologies that protect the air we breathe, produce the fuels that power our world and ensure efficient production of a wide variety of chemicals, plastics and other products, including advanced battery materials. By leveraging our industry-leading R&D platforms, passion for innovation and deep knowledge of precious and base metals, BASF’s Catalysts division develops unique, proprietary solutions that drive customer success. Further information on BASF’s Catalysts division is available on the Internet at www.catalysts.basf.com.

BASF - The Chemical Company

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 16,600 employees in North America, and had sales of $18.5 billion in 2012. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.us.

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and innovation, we enable our customers in nearly every industry to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF had sales of €72.1 billion in 2012 and more than 110,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

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