NEW TECHNOLOGY NEEDED TO STAVE OFF SHORTAGES

October 3, 2007

Tokyo, Japan - Mazda has developed a catalyst for automotive exhaust systems using single-nanotechnology to build a material structure that slashes platinum and palladium use by 70 to 90 percent.

The reduction doesn't affect the performance of the catalyst, which uses platinum, rhodium and palladium to trigger a chemical reaction with polluting nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons that cleans tailpipe emissions.

Rival automaker Nissan also said in July, 2007 it had developed a catalyst for petrol cars that used nanotechnology to prevent clustering of the catalyst's fine metal particles under high temperature conditions, which it said would halve the use of precious metal components.

Single-nanotechnology can control smaller particles than nanotechnology.

Automakers are facing higher than expected material prices and looking for ways to reduce material use to save costs.

A Mazda spokesman said the company had not decided yet when it would first employ the technology on a production model; it also had no plans to share the technology with controlling shareholder Ford. – Reuters

Implats marketing executive Derek Engelbrecht told motoring .co.za the new technology would not affect the SA precious metals mining industry because rather than using less material the auto companies would use the same amount to make more catalysers.

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