Hong Kong bus operators award BASF major contract, First commercial use of diesel particulate filters in Hong Kong buses
By: Theodore Lowen
April 02, 2008
Hong Kong, China -
BASF is supplying diesel particulate filters for more than 2,500
Hong Kong transit buses, marking the first large-scale commercial
use of diesel particulate filters in the city as part of a diesel
retrofit program. It also demonstrates BASF Catalysts’ continued
efforts to promote a cleaner environment for Hong Kong’s more than
seven million inhabitants.
Beginning in 2008, BASF’s DPX™ Max filters will be installed on
vehicles from Hong Kong’sfourmajor transit bus operators –The
Kowloon Motor Bus Co. Ltd.(KMB), CitybusLtd.(CTB), New World First
Bus Services Ltd. (NWST) and New Lantao Bus Co. Ltd.
(NLB).BASF’s DPX technology has been proven on tens of thousands of
trucks and buses, and earned the first U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency Urban Bus Retrofit certificate.
“We have worked closely with the Environmental Protection
Department and the transit bus operators since 2000 when the Hong
Kong retrofit program began,” saidMr.Frank Ardite, Commercial
Director, BASF Catalysts. “We are excited to be chosen to
bring the next level of diesel emissions control technology to Hong
Kong.”
Mr.Kane Shum, Principal Engineer for KMB,and Mr. Paul Li, Head
of Operations and Engineering for CTB and NWST, said that they
conducted extensive field trials to find the right solution for
Hong Kong before choosing BASF’s DPX Max filters, which can cut
emissions of particulate matter, or soot, by more than 85
percent.
Diesel vehicles are the main cause of street-level air pollution
in Hong Kong. As the number of vehicles and miles driven increase
in Hong Kong’s urban areas, the city’s air quality problem has
increased. The Hong Kong government has instituted a number of
initiatives to combat the problem, including a diesel retrofit
program aimed at reducing emissions from existing buses, trucks and
vans.
In 2003, BASF Catalysts technology was selected for use in one
of the world’s largest diesel engine retrofit programs. As a
result, today more than 35,000 Hong Kong buses and trucks feature
BASF Catalysts’ diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs), which
significantly reduce carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon
emissions.
Installation of the DPX Max filters is quick and easy. BASF
Catalyst’s distributor in Hong Kong, Consolidated Parts and
Accessories Sales Centre Ltd. (a member of Dah Chong Hong Holdings
Ltd.), will supply the filters for the buses and provide
maintenance services.
About BASF’s Catalyst division
BASF’s Catalysts division is the world’s leading supplier of
environmental and process catalysts. The division 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, adsorbents and other products.
About BASF
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical
Company. Its portfolio ranges from oil and gas to chemicals,
plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine
chemicals. As a reliable partner BASF helps its customers in
virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value
products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in
finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection,
energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF has more than
95,000 employees and posted sales of almost €58 billion in
2007. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at
www.basf.com.