Whirlpool Corporation and Honeywell Introduce Most Environmentally Responsible and Energy Efficient Insulation Available into U.S. Made Refrigerators

BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Aug. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Demonstrating their mutual commitments to environmental leadership, Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) and Honeywell (NYSE: HON) have announced that all Whirlpool Corporation U.S.-made refrigerators will begin incorporating Honeywell's Solstice™ Liquid Blowing Agent. This includes future product lineups from Whirlpool Brand, Maytag®, Amana®, Jenn-Air® and KitchenAid® brands.  The most environmentally responsible blowing agent available, boasting the lowest Global Warming Potential (GWP) available among non-ozone depleting substitutes, Solstice Liquid Blowing Agent (LBA) outperforms commonly used hydrocarbons such as C-Pentane, providing better low-temperature insulation performance and higher energy savings.

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Whirlpool Corporation is the first refrigerator manufacturer in the U.S. committed to incorporating this new class of blowing agents into its products, providing customers with refrigerators that offer the best efficiency and lowest environmental footprint.   Honeywell Solstice LBA offers an 8-10 percent improvement in efficiency over refrigerator platforms tested with hydrocarbon blown foam insulation, and a 2 percent improvement over 245fa, currently the most widely-used foam blowing agent in the U.S. 

"Whirlpool Corporation is an environmental leader, developing high-quality products that offer both efficiency and low environmental impact," said Ludovic Beaufils, general manager refrigeration and sustainability lead for Whirlpool North America.  "Through this collaboration with Honeywell, we are once again leading the way with the most advanced materials that offer the greatest benefits to consumers."

Honeywell Solstice Liquid Blowing Agent, which was recently granted approval under the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP), has a 100-year global warming potential between 4.7 and 7, a 99 percent improvement over 245fa, the most common manufacturing solution in the U.S. today.  A near drop-in replacement, it also offers cost benefits and is non-flammable providing safety advantages over other hydrocarbon blowing agents. 

"Honeywell's Solstice™ branded solutions deliver the optimal combined enhancement of environment, performance, safety and cost effectiveness," said Terrence Hahn, vice president and general manager, Fluorine Products.  "We are pleased to supply Whirlpool with Solstice™ LBA to ensure those benefits are experienced both in their operations and for their customers."

Whirlpool will begin production in late 2013.

About Whirlpool Corporation 
Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $19 billion in 2011, 68,000 employees, and 65 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world.  The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, Bauknecht and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world.  Additional information about the company can be found at http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com.

About Honeywell Performance Materials and Technologies 
Performance Materials and Technologies is a global leader in developing and manufacturing advanced materials and process technologies. These materials and technologies are used by people every day in a wide range of industries and applications, from petroleum refining to environmentally friendlier refrigerants to bullet-resistant vests. Our advanced materials are critical in the manufacture of products ranging from nylon to computer chips to pharmaceutical packaging. Process technologies developed by our UOP business form the foundation for most of the world's refiners, efficiently producing gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and petrochemicals. UOP is now pioneering technology to produce real fuels from renewable energy sources.

About Honeywell  
Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; turbochargers; and performance materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell's shares are traded on the New York, London, and Chicago Stock Exchanges. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywellnow.com.  

This release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that we or our management intends, expects, projects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based upon certain assumptions and assessments made by our management in light of their experience and their perception of historical trends, current economic and industry conditions, expected future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. The forward-looking statements included in this release are also subject to a number of material risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to economic, competitive, governmental, and technological factors affecting our operations, markets, products, services and prices. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results, developments and business decisions may differ from those envisaged by such forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation