Modine Introduces New Green Technology, with Fuel Cells and
CO2, to Help Truckers Cut Emissions and Save Money
Racine, WI, July 17, 2006 - Modine Manufacturing Company
(NYSE: MOD), a world leader in designing and developing heating and
cooling solutions for a diversified group of markets including truck,
construction, agriculture, industrial, and automotive, unveiled today
a new fuel cell product that will reduce emissions, help the
environment, and cut costs for over-the-road truck drivers. This new
advanced idle reduction system (idle-off) incorporates high
efficiency, zero emissions fuel cells, and uses carbon dioxide (CO2),
an environmentally-friendly refrigerant, in the cooling. This new
idle-off system can be used for both cooling and heating the sleeper
cabin in a heavy-duty truck, creating multiple benefits for truck
drivers and fleets.
More than half a million heavy-duty diesel trucks are on the road
in the United States today. To comply with "hours of service
laws," long haul truck drivers must have an off duty period of 10
hours after driving 14 hours. If the driver desires to heat or cool
the sleeping compartment during that time, the truck must be idled to
provide a comfortable environment within the sleeper cab. The
Department of Energy estimates that currently more than one billion
gallons of fuel are consumed each year while trucks idle in these
conditions.
"This is going to get worse, as the new laws take
effect," said Dr. Tony De Vuono, Modine's Vice President and
Chief Technology Officer. "More truck drivers will be pulling
over and taking a rest, requiring them to idle. This is setting up a
conflict as 22 states have pending legislation that limits idling in
some form. Our new technology offers a solution, helps to eliminate
those emissions, and reduces energy consumption, while still providing
a comfortable air conditioned or heated sleeper cab for truck
drivers."
The new CO2 air-conditioning and heating system was designed
internally by Modine at its research and development facility in
Racine, Wisconsin. CO2 is an environmentally friendly refrigerant with
zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) and zero net Global Warming
Potential (GWP) as defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
and the Kyoto Protocol, which is an amendment assigning mandatory
targets for nations around the world for the reduction of greenhouse
gases. The unique properties of CO2 make it advantageous for both
cooling and heating a vehicle. Using a CO2 heat pump to heat the cabin
in cold weather conditions is more
energy efficient than using other conventional heating products.
Modine sourced the fuel cell power pack from General Hydrogen
Corporation. The fuel cell power pack uses hydrogen gas as the fuel
with the only byproduct being water. It was specifically designed for
a truck auxiliary power unit application to produce electrical energy
continuously for more than 10 hours. The thermal management system was
designed and built by Modine's fuel cell products group.
"Our engineers are working on cutting-edge technologies in
various areas, including fuel cells, CO2, and HVAC. This product gives
us an opportunity to combine these technologies in one package. It's
something that no one has done before. We're showing our customers,
fleet operators, and the trucking industry that Modine stands for
innovation and finding solutions that are both environmentally
friendly and make good economic sense," said Dr. Jonathan
Wattelet, Modine Director of Research and Development.
About Modine
Founded in 1916, with fiscal 2006 revenues from continuing
operations of $1.6 billion, Modine specializes in thermal management
systems and components, bringing highly engineered heating and cooling
technology and solutions to diversified global markets. Modine
products are used in light, medium and heavy-duty vehicles, HVAC
(heating, ventilating, air conditioning) equipment, industrial
equipment, refrigeration systems, fuel cells, and electronics. Based
in Racine, Wisconsin, the company has approximately 8,000 employees at
34 facilities in 15 countries worldwide. For information about Modine,
visit www.modine.com.
Statements made in this press release regarding future matters
are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements,
including those regarding a positive impact from new business
programs, exploitation of technology, expansion into niche markets,
incremental business and continuing market strength are based on
Modine's current expectations. Modine's actual results, performance or
achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied in
these statements because of certain risks and uncertainties including,
but not limited to, market acceptance and demand for products and
technologies; successful launch by Modine of the above described
program; the ability of Modine, and its suppliers to achieve projected
sales and production levels and avoid unanticipated product or
manufacturing difficulties; and other factors affecting Modine's
business prospects discussed in filings made by Modine, from time to
time, with the SEC including the factors discussed in the
"Cautionary Factors" section in Item 7 of the Company's most
recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and its periodic reports on Form
10-Q. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any
forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise..
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Source: Modine Manufacturing Company
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