DuPont Launches Hybrid Membrane Technology for Global Industrial Filters Market

WILMINGTON, Del., April 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DuPont today announced the global availability of its Hybrid Membrane Technology (HMT) fiber in air filtration bag applications for industrial and commercial manufacturing. The product rollout has begun in the United States and Europe with availability through DuPont's laminator network.

"DuPont HMT is a product with a unique offering and significant benefits for manufacturers in every region," said Thomas G. Powell, vice president and general manager -- DuPont Advanced Fiber Systems. "Our customers now have a product that increases cycle time up to nine times over the incumbent polyester felt, with an improvement in energy efficiency. More importantly, these fibers, only available through our Hybrid Membrane Technology, capture up to 10 to 15 times more dust and particulates in the air compared to incumbents, providing a cleaner environment for workers and consumers inside and outside manufacturing facilities."

Referred to as "dust collection bags" in the industry, these filtration products are used with exit air to capture particles so they are not emitted to the environment -- an increasingly important need as more countries enact regulations for cleaner air. The incumbent polyester felt bags are commonly used at any production facility that generates particulates and dust from wood, cement, asphalt, paint, minerals and powders, among others. HMT fiber bags provide air flow with an improved cycle time and better capture of particulates. Initial DuPont data, based on industry testing standards, shows that HMT technology provides energy savings by reducing down time and providing more consistent pressure levels.

DuPont estimates the global air filtration market at more than $1 billion, with the dust collection segment alone at $300 million.

HMT is a DuPont innovation based on nanofiber science. It is produced by DuPont in Seoul, Korea, using a proprietary spinning process that produces continuous filaments with diameters between 200 and 600 nanometers. DuPont Hybrid Membrane Technology provides better performance versus the incumbent materials across a variety of air and liquid filtration applications where energy efficiency and reduction of particulate contamination and emissions are critical. It adds breathability and protection to bedding products and provides a unique offering for energy storage, where it can significantly improve the safety, durability, power and energy performance in a variety of capacitor and battery applications.

DuPont conducts customer application testing at its sites in Wilmington, Del.; Richmond, Va.; Geneva, Switzerland and Seoul, Korea. DuPont sells HMT in rolls to laminators, who then sell the completed product to "bag" manufacturers.

DuPont HMT is a product offering of the DuPont Safety & Protection segment, which includes DuPont Building Innovations, DuPont Advanced Fiber Systems, DuPont Nonwovens, DuPont Chemical Solutions Enterprise and DuPont Safety Resources. The segment provides innovative products and services that protect people, buildings, critical processes and the environment. In 2007, the segment's revenues totaled $5.6 billion.

DuPont -- one of the first companies to publicly establish environmental goals 18 years ago -- has broadened its sustainability commitments beyond internal footprint reduction to include market-driven targets for both revenue and research and development investment like Hybrid Membrane Technology. The goals are tied directly to business growth, specifically to the development of safer and environmentally improved new products for key global markets.

DuPont is a science-based products and services 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 and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.

For more information on DuPont Hybrid Membrane Technology: http://www.hybridmembrane.dupont.com/

Photo of HMT: http://vocuspr.vocus.com/VocusPR30/Newsroom/ViewAttachment.aspx?SiteName=Dupon tNew&Entity=PRAsset&AttachmentType=F&EntityID=109729&AttachmentID=e95fa586- f45e-4eb2-9b25-c660cc2a9609&NewWindow=true

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Caption: DuPont Hybrid Membrane Technology (HMT) is being used in air bag filters for industrial applications where it provides energy efficiency, longer cycle time and significant reductions in particulate emissions.