Corporate | 30 October 2008 07:30
Nanostart AG / Miscellaneous
Release of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory
AG.
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- Proprietary process from Namos reduces precious metal consumption for
making automotive catalytic converters by up to 50%
- Successful completion of aging test marks major step toward market
introduction
- Test confirms that new technology functions flawlessly at high
operating temperatures
Frankfurt / Dresden – October 30, 2008 – The successful completion of an
aging test marks a significant step forward for the new catalytic converter
technology from Namos GmbH, a Dresden-based company partly owned by
Nanostart AG. This new process is anticipated to reduce the consumption of
precious metals such as platinum in the production of automotive catalytic
converters by up to one half.
Of all the testing procedures which must be fulfilled before full market
introduction, the aging test is particularly important. This purpose of
this test is to prove that the catalytic converter remains functional when
it is subjected to temperatures of more than 600 C for an extended period
of time. In many cases, these conditions can lead to a coarsening of the
precious metal particles, resulting in a rapid impairment of function.
Under the simulated aging conditions, Namos was able to successfully prove
that automotive catalytic converters produced using its proprietary
bionanotechnology-based process continue to function flawlessly even at the
high temperatures experienced in actual automotive use.
Dr. Jürgen Hofinger, Managing Director of Namos GmbH, commented on the
completion of this milestone: 'The successful completion of the aging tests
are both a source of satisfaction for us and an incentive to push forward.
The next step will be to simulate the relevant application parameters in
model catalytic converters. Following that, prototypes will be produced and
tested in both automotive testing facilities and in actual vehicles.'
News of the successful completion of the aging tests has met with
enthusiasm in the automotive industry. According to industry experts,
confirmation of these results in actual catalytic converters will be
convincing proof of the technical superiority of the new process from
Namos.
Some 230 metric tons of new, non-recycled precious metals are currently
consumed annually for the coating of automotive catalytic converters,
corresponding to a value of USD 8.3 billion dollars. The new technology
from Namos could save one half of this amount, or more than USD 4 billion
dollars annually.
About Nanostart:
Nanostart AG is the world’s leading nanotechnology investment company. The
Frankfurt-based company provides venture capital financing for
nanotechnology companies in various growth phases. It also provides the
benefits of its experience and expertise to developers of financial
instruments and to investors in the nanotechnology sector. For further
information about the company, please visit www.nanostart.de.
About Namos:
Namos GmbH develops highly innovative coatings based on aqueous solutions,
with a focus on nanostructured surfaces which offer uniquely advantageous
characteristics. Rather than producing these with a large number of complex
process steps, these are produced using biomolecules which use their
inherent 'intelligence' to organize themselves in certain ways into the
desired structures. The company has long maintained intensive contacts with
leading-edge research centers, particularly within the area of Dresden. The
customers and cooperation partners of Namos include renowned major
corporations as well as smaller and specialized companies. For further
information, please visit www.namos.de.
Disclaimer:
This notice constitutes neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of
offers to purchase or subscribe to securities. There will be no public
offering of securities of Nanostart AG in conjunction with the existing
listing of its shares in the 'Entry Standard' segment of the regulated
unofficial market (Freiverkehr) on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. This
notice does not constitute a securities prospectus. Neither this notice nor
the information contained within is intended for direct or indirect
distribution within the United States of America, Canada, Australia or
Japan.
Media contact:
Nanostart AG
Public Relations
Dr. Hans Joachim Dürr
Goethestrasse 26-28
D-60313 Frankfurt
Germany
phone: +49 (0)69/219396-111
fax: +49 (0)69/219396-122
e-mail: presse@nanostart.de
30.10.2008 Financial News transmitted by DGAP
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