RED DOT First with Path-Breaking Environmental Technology

Orlando Flordia, January 22, 2004

Red Dot Corporation today announced the introduction of the first mobile air conditioning system to use HFC-152a refrigerant. HFC-152a refrigerant improves cooling capacity, decreases fuel use, and helps protect the climate. The new technology also satisfies stringent new regulations proposed by the European Commission. HFC-152a is part of Red Dot’s revolutionary new air conditioning system that uses hydraulic driven compressors and secondary loop technology to increase reliability and safety and to reduce the amount of refrigerant and energy required.

Last week, United States Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham and Australian Minister for the Environment and Heritage Dr. David Kemp announced that the Red Dot technology will be demonstrated under the Australia-United States Climate Action Partnership (CAP). CAP projects assist the development of innovative new technologies to help reduce synthetic greenhouse gases, which have a greenhouse impact thousands of times greater than carbon dioxide.

The Red Dot global partnership includes the Australian Greenhouse Office, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS), Australia Fluorocarbon Council, Vehicle Air Conditioning Specialists of Australia (VASA), Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) and the state environmental authorities in Victoria and Western Australia. The Society of Automotive Engineers validates new technology as part of the SAE Alternative Refrigerant Cooperative Research Program.

“Australia, with its hot climate and rugged environment, is an ideal place for Red Dot to test the technical and environmental benefits of this promising new air conditioning technology,” said James Shevlin, Head of the Energy Efficiency and Community Branch, Australian Greenhouse Office.  “The project highlights the benefits of governments and industry working in partnership to develop and trial innovative new technology.”

“EPA commends Red Dot for their market and environmental leadership,” said Stephen O. Andersen, U.S. EPA Climate Protection Partnerships Division and Co-Chair of the Mobile Air Conditioning Climate Protection Partnership, which is a consortium of international vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, and environmental organizations. “The HFC-152a technology promises drastically lower greenhouse gas emissions and higher fuel efficiency, cooling performance, and reliability.”

“The Mobile Air Conditioning Society has been internationally involved in the phase out of refrigerants that deplete the stratospheric ozone layer and supports the introduction of new technology that will protect the climate,” said Elvis Hoffpauir, President and Chief Operating Officer.

Red Dot will test new HFC-152a air conditioning technology in trucks, which has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from this source by more than 90 per cent as well as achieving significant increases in fuel efficiency. The technology is also suitable for air-conditioning in passenger vehicles.

About Red Dot Corporation