DuPont Announces Availability of PFOA Emissions Reduction Technologies
Available to Global Fluoropolymer Industry Royalty-Free

WILMINGTON, Del.,  May 06, 2005  —  DuPont today announced that it will provide critical technologies to reduce emissions of PFOA royalty-free to others in the fluoropolymer industry.

PFOA is an essential processing aid used to produce fluoropolymer high-performance materials. Fluoropolymers are used in architectural fabrics; chemical processing piping and vessels; automotive fuel systems; telecommunications and electronic wiring insulation; and computer chip processing equipment and systems, as well as consumer products such as cookware and apparel. The aerospace, transportation and electronics industries rely on these products because of their purity, reliability and durability in critical applications.

DuPont, in cooperation with The Fluoropolymer Manufacturers Group (FMG), a part of the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI), has committed to reduce emissions from fluoropolymer manufacturing sites worldwide and also will reduce APFO content in aqueous fluoropolymer dispersions used for coatings applications. The FMG is made up of the U.S. fluoropolymer producers, including DuPont, Dyneon (3M), Daikin America, and Asahi Glass Chemicals Americas. This action will reduce the potential for emissions at processors who use aqueous fluoropolymer dispersions by more than 90 percent. APFO is the form of PFOA used as a fluoropolymer processing aid.

"DuPont is offering our technology as a royalty-free cross license to help ensure the success of the FMG commitment," said David Boothe of DuPont Fluoropolymer Solutions. "Since all still need to use APFO to make fluoropolymers, this program is not designed to replace this essential processing aid. DuPont will instead add a step to our process that removes nearly all APFO from our aqueous dispersions to accomplish the goal. We expect to announce availability of these next-generation aqueous dispersion products soon."

In addition to source reduction technology for APFO in dispersion, DuPont also is offering royalty-free access to its patents and technology for PFOA emissions abatement, water treatment and recovery for reuse.

DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.

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05/06/05