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New emission regulations are creating new challenges. Without innovation, these tightening regulations and durability requirements would mean larger, heavier emission control systems. As the leading innovator with global R&D and manufacturing, we offer unique solutions to meet these challenges.
As the global leader in catalysis, BASF has unsurpassed expertise in developing innovative emission control technologies for a wide range of applications, to enable clean air for a sustainable future. Check out all of our solutions below.
Our Innovative Solutions
Protecting the atmosphere from harmful emissions is the focus of all innovative solutions. New engine technologies, tightening emission regulations and fluctuating precious metals prices create emissions control challenges. We help make our customers more successful with innovative, cost-effective solutions to meet the toughest emissions control regulations.
Three-Way Conversion Catalyst (TWC)
TWC technology for gasoline engines. A leader in clean air technology, BASF has unsurpassed expertise in the development of catalysts for a wide range of applications that protect the air we breathe. Catalyst expertise enabled us to pioneer the development of the first catalytic converters for automobiles, which appeared on 1975-model cars. A year later, we introduced a major innovation — the modern, Three-Way Conversion catalyst (TWC), which today is capable of destroying over 90% of hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) produced by gasoline engines. In fact, it would take over 100 of todays cars to equal the pollution from one pre-1974 car. We were awarded the National Medal of Technology and the United Nations Award of the Decade, for the development of the first three-way automotive emissions control catalyst. Arguably the most important pollution abatement device ever invented, the catalytic converter now is a key component of most new cars around the world. Today, BASF continues to lead the way in the development and commercialization of advanced emissions catalysts. We work closely with our customers to manage the precious metal content in the catalysts. Our focus is on helping our automotive customers cost-effectively comply with tightening environmental regulations around the world.
This state-of-the-art platform technology uses BASF's patented, segregated washcoat technology, which precisely places the precious metals within the washcoat, resulting in several important benefits:
BASF's TWC catalysts:
Four-Way Conversion™ Catalyst (FWC™)
The innovative single component FWC™ (Four-Way Conversion) catalyst can remove Particulate Matter (PM), as well as CO (Carbon Monoxide), HC (Hydrocarbons) and NOx (Nitrogen Oxides) from gasoline-engine exhaust. Upcoming Euro 6 and US Tier 3 regulations will enforce, besides the well-known limits for HC, CO and NOx, tighter control of PM emissions from gasoline-engine powered vehicles. BASF has developed innovative FWC™ catalyst technologies that can be applied in a system, together with a standard TWC, as a CC (Close Couple) or UF (Under-Floor) or even as a FWC-only device for a fully integrated system. The innovative FWC™ catalyst combines the functionality of a TWC catalyst with a filter to remove all four pollutants with just one component.
The benefits include:
LGC Lean GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) Catalyst
The patented BASF Lean GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) Catalyst technology provides the additional NOx (nitrogen oxides) removal required from the exhaust of GDI engines. These engines use lean combustion (excess of air) to deliver improved fuel economy. However NOx exhaust emissions can increase and are a challenge to remove under these lean operating conditions. The Lean GDI catalyst is designed to operate under lean conditions and can be placed after the TWC catalyst to provide additional NOx conversion.
The benefits include: