DuPont Statement: European Commission Investigation

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Oct 21, 2014, 10:24 ET

WILMINGTON, Del., Oct. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Thierry F.J. Vanlancker, president, DuPont Chemicals & Fluoroproducts, said the following about the European Commission's Statement of Objections:

"DuPont has complied at all times with applicable laws in its development and commercialization of HFO-1234yf, and we plan to defend vigorously against the Commission's allegations and preliminary conclusions. This is one step in a long process, and while it may take years to be resolved, we are confident that the Commission will ultimately conclude that actions taken by DuPont complied with applicable laws. We will fight this every step of the way, as it has no basis in law or fact.

"We are disappointed in the European Commission and in the process leading up to this point. DuPont and Honeywell developed HFO-1234yf jointly in response to the European Union's Mobile Air Conditioning (MAC) Directive. This regulation requires automakers to use a refrigerant with very low global warming potential (low-GWP) for vehicle air-conditioning systems. The regulatory timeframe was short considering the significant challenges of developing and commercializing a refrigerant that meets all the automotive industry's needs. This short timeframe was a primary reason for DuPont and Honeywell working jointly to develop HFO-1234yf.

"Without DuPont and Honeywell's joint development, HFO-1234yf would not have been successfully developed and brought to market, and there would today be no commercially available solution satisfying the MAC Directive's criteria. From the outset, the companies have marketed and sold the refrigerant separately and independently, as competitors in the marketplace. DuPont has invested heavily to develop jointly a solution that greatly reduces potential climate impact. We have endured a host of regulatory, technical and financial challenges to be able to proudly offer this product to our customers, and we are disappointed the Commission chose to file this Statement in the final days of this Commissioner's tenure, after having looked at these facts for multiple years. We will respond to the Statement and will work to ensure that the Commission understands the competitive landscape and the details of our competitive relationship with Honeywell.

"Regardless of the Statement, the EU MAC Directive remains in full force today, with all new vehicles required to use a refrigerant with a GWP of under 150 by January 2017. HFO-1234yf has a 99.9 percent lower GWP than the refrigerant it was designed to replace, and meets a range of critical performance, sustainability and safety needs. Other low-GWP refrigerants are available for use in complying with the MAC Directive, but most automakers have concluded that HFO-1234yf is the best option. Most of the world's major automakers have already started their commercial transition to HFO-1234yf, and all but one are working to adopt HFO-1234yf.

"DuPont remains committed to work with our customers to ensure we meet their demand needs as they prepare to comply with the MAC Directive and other global programs that are driving mobile air conditioning to low GWP options."

DuPont – one of the first companies to publicly establish environmental goals more than 20 years ago – has broadened its sustainability commitments beyond internal footprint reduction to include market-driven targets for both revenue and research and development investment. The goals are tied directly to business growth, specifically to the development of safer and environmentally improved new products for key global markets.

DuPont (NYSE: DD) has been bringing world-class science and engineering to the global marketplace in the form of innovative products, materials, and services since 1802. The company believes that by collaborating with customers, governments, NGOs, and thought leaders we can help find solutions to such global challenges as providing enough healthy food for people everywhere, decreasing dependence on fossil fuels, and protecting life and the environment. For additional information about DuPont and its commitment to inclusive innovation, please visit http://www.dupont.com.

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SOURCE DuPont