KARIYA (Japan) - DENSO Corporation today announced that it has developed a plant-derived resin radiator tank using an organic compound derived from castor-oil tree*. DENSO will start mass-producing this new product in Spring of 2009 for vehicles sold worldwide.

"In addition to increasing installations of the new radiator tank to more vehicles, DENSO aims to incorporate the new resin into a wide range of products in an effort to reduce the use of limited oil resources, reduce CO₂ emissions during a product's life cycle and help prevent global warming," said Akio Shikamura, managing officer responsible for DENSO's Thermal Systems Business Group.

The plant-derived resin, which DENSO jointly developed with DuPont Kabushiki Kaisha, is produced by a chemical reaction between two organic compounds that are derived from castor-oil tree and petroleum. An additive, such as glass fiber, is then added to the substance to produce the resin. Plant-derived ingredient comprises about 40 percent of the eco-friendly resin. Since engine compartment components, such as the radiator tank need to be extremely heat resistant and durable, it was previously difficult to develop a resin with a high percentage of plant-derived ingredient.

Compared to conventional products, the new radiator tank releases less carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions into the atmosphere during its life cycle because it is partially made from material extracted from plants, which absorb CO₂ through the photosynthesis process. The new product also helps conserve oil, a fossil fuel which is being depleted.

Generally, the cost increases for on-board devices that need to be resistant to calcium-chloride, which is contained in large amounts in snow-melting agents dispensed on the road in many colder regions. The newly developed radiator tank is more than seven times more resistant to calcium chloride and can be produced at lower cost compared to conventional products designed for cold regions.

DENSO Corporation, headquartered in Kariya, Aichi prefecture, Japan, is a leading global supplier of advanced technology, systems and components. Its customers include all the world's major carmakers. Worldwide, the company employs approximately 119,000 people in 32 countries and regions, including Japan. Consolidated global sales for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 totaled US$40.2 billion. DENSO common stock is traded on the Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya stock exchanges. For more information, go to www.denso.com, or visit our media website at www.densomediacenter.com .

* Castor-oil tree: A plant of the euphorbiaceae (spurge) family. Castor oil is extracted from castor bean seeds.

Radiator using plant-derived resin radiator tank

*The radiator tank is the top and bottom part of the radiator.