Volvo smog-eating cars feature BASF technology

In 2000, the world's first "smog-eating" cars hit the road. Volvo Car Corporation of Sweden introduced BASF's PremAir® ozone-destroying catalyst on their popular luxury sedan, the S80.   Since that successful launch, PremAir has been applied to many other Volvo models.

PremAir catalyst can be applied to heat-exchange surfaces like car radiators and air-conditioner condensers to destroy harmful ground-level ozone as it passes over these surfaces. Ground-level ozone is the main component of smog and is directly linked to respiratory problems and damage to vegetation.

Volvo, which has long pursued environmental responsibility as one of their core values, recognized the potential of the PremAir catalyst and engaged BASF in a joint-development program.

Volvo and BASF began working together to commercialize PremAir in the late 1990’s. They conducted extensive tests to be sure that the catalyst met Volvo's high standards for ozone conversion rates, durability, cost effectiveness, and radiator performance. Once all criteria were met, Volvo moved ahead to bring this environmental innovation to the public.

The launch of PremAir on cars is not the first important environmental collaboration between Volvo and BASF. The two companies teamed up more than 25 years ago to commercialize the first three-way auto catalyst - the type of pollution-control equipment used on more than 80 % of the world's new cars. It’s another example of how BASF helps its customers to be more successful.