Feb 16, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Koppers has developed a new carbon foam product to improve electronic and automotive cooling systems, maximize heat exchanger performance and provide exceptional acoustic and EMI/RF shielding properties.
KFOAM(R) is a lightweight and exceptionally strong carbon foam that has high thermal and electric conductivity. Its low production cost and flexible physical properties make it ideal for use in a wide range of applications, including thermal energy and heat transfer management, electromagnetic interference and acoustic shielding, and batteries and fuel cell components. Potential uses for carbon foam include heat management devices for airplanes and spacecraft, and smaller, more efficient automobile radiators and computer chip heat dissipaters.
"We've been able to build on our decades of experience in carbon materials processing to develop KFOAM(R)," said Walter W. Turner, president and CEO of Koppers, a global producer of carbon compounds and treated wood products for the aluminum, steel, chemical, plastics, railroad and utility industries.
"Our innovative Research and Development Team continues to develop new carbon pitch capabilities, and in doing so, Koppers has been able to manufacture affordable carbon foam that is well-suited to a broad set of product applications. Potential customers will find many possibilities for this product."
KFOAM(R) is produced from a Koppers specialty product called mesophase pitch. Derived from coal tar, the foam is heat-treated to 2800°C to form a graphitic foam structure. The foaming process is licensed from UT-Battelle, LLC, management and operating contractor of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the U.S. Department of Energy's largest science and energy laboratory.
As a highly conductive but porous structure, KFOAM(R) quickly removes heat, improving thermal management for potential use in computers and other electronics. Because of its high compressive strength, KFOAM(R) is easily machined into shapes and can provide the structure for various applications.
For more information, visit the KFOAM(R) web site: www.kfoam.com.
About Koppers
Koppers, with corporate headquarters and a research center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a global integrated producer of carbon compounds and treated wood products. Including its joint ventures, Koppers operates facilities in the United States, United Kingdom, Denmark, Australia, China, the Pacific Rim and South Africa. The stock of Koppers Holdings Inc. (NYSE: KOP) is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "KOP". For more information, visit us on the web: www.koppers.com. Questions concerning investor relations should be directed to Brian H. McCurrie at 412 227 2153.
This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on management's current expectations, estimates and projections. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about the company's strategy for growth, product development, market position, expected expenditures and financial results are forward- looking statements. Some of the forward-looking statements may be identified by words like "expects," "anticipates," "plans," "intends," "projects," "indicates," and similar expressions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors, including those discussed more fully elsewhere in this release and in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Koppers, particularly its latest annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly report on Form 10-Q, as well as others, could cause results to differ materially from those stated. These factors include, but are not limited to, changes in the laws, regulations, policies and economic conditions, including inflation, interest and foreign currency exchange rates, of countries in which Koppers does business; competitive pressures; the loss of one or more key customer or supplier relationships; customer insolvencies; successful integration of structural changes, including restructuring plans, acquisitions, divestitures and alliances; cost of raw materials; and other economic, business, competitive, regulatory and/or operational factors affecting the business of Koppers generally.
SOURCE Koppers Holdings Inc.
Rebecca R. Duke, Director, Communications, Development and Compensation of Koppers, +1-412-227-2947, or DukeRR@koppers.com