DENSO Corp. and Robert Bosch have agreed to set up a fifty-fifty joint venture in eastern Europe to develop and manufacture diesel particulate filters. The joint venture is planned for establishment in early 2007.

From 2009 onward, the joint venture partners plan to manufacture high-performance and cost-effective diesel particulate filters made of cordierite and to market them separately. As a result of the Euro 5 emission standard for cars, DENSO and Bosch expect that particulate filters will become standard equipment for all new diesel-powered cars in Europe. Accordingly, it is also expected that the market for particulate filters will grow strongly.
A DPF is an essential diesel system component, and DENSO and Bosch plan to develop and market competitive cordierite DPFs by utilizing the two companies’ diesel system technologies.
Compared to DPFs made of other materials, cordierite DPFs are light and provide lower pressure drop of exhaust gas resulting in high engine performance and efficient purification. DENSO has been producing and supplying its cordierite DPFs since 2003. The technologies and experiences will be used in the joint venture.
The agreement to form a joint venture is subject to approval by the antitrust authorities.