Frost & Sullivan Lauds Rotrex A/S for its Innovative Products and Dedication to Furthering Engine Boosting Technologies

Business Wire, July 9, 2008

LONDON -- Based on its recent analysis of the gasoline and diesel engine boosting technologies market, Frost & Sullivan recognises Rotrex A/S with the 2008 European Award for Product Innovation. This is for developing pioneering products for vehicle manufacturers as well as working with them to downsize engines. A significant instance of this would be the supercharger Rotrex A/S developed for a German vehicle manufacturer for use in a downsized engine.

Boosting technologies such as superchargers are being increasingly used to make up for loss of power due to engine downsizing. Most original equipment manufacturers (OEM's) are downsizing internal combustion engines to reduce emissions. This, however, reduces its volumetric capacity and affects engine performance and drivability. Forced induction systems such as supercharger based solutions are among the leading technologies that enable performance to be retained while offering the well known advantages of downsizing.

"Rotrex A/S has developed a supercharger for use in downsized engines," notes Frost & Sullivan Head Analyst Arif Basheer. "The patented planetary drive used in these superchargers allows speeds of up to 300,000rpm, as fast as, or faster than any turbocharger. Additionally, a Rotrex based solution imposes no exhaust manifold restriction (inherently part of any turbo solution). Further advantages of the Rotrex technology are the high efficiency, compactness, reliability and silent operation."

Superchargers can provide better drivability than turbochargers, but when a system is developed with good boost at low engine speeds, it usually becomes inefficient at high engine speeds. This drawback calls for a multi-speed supercharger drive that can deliver optimum boost conditions when needed. Rotrex A/S can achieve this using two, three or continuously-variable speed gearbox coupled to the Rotrex A/S traction drive depending on the requirement. The two modules clipped together act as a single unit but is more compact than a conventional supercharger.

"Rotrex A/S superchargers offer superior boost at low engine speeds because of its ability to accommodate high speed impeller designs," says Basheer. "The roots and screw type superchargers manufactured by competitors lose efficiency at higher pressure ratios whereas Rotrex A/S superchargers provide the best thermodynamic efficiencies even under extreme temperatures."

For diesel and gasoline engine applications, a Rotrex A/S supercharger in combination with a variable drive or electric/hydraulic motor can be applied either alone or with a larger wastegate turbocharger. This improves engine response, fuel efficiency and reliability (through lower thermal loads). It is also more cost competitive when compared to other advanced turbo systems.

Since these superchargers offer superior performance at all engine speeds, they can be used in applications where responsiveness and performance are important, such as sports and high-end models. Other main areas of focus of Rotrex A/S are downsizing, hybrid powertrains, fuel cell's, performance vehicles and exhaust gas after treatment for truck/off-road.

As OEM's are on the lookout for new and better boosting technologies to lower emission levels, Rotrex A/S continues to develop and offer a widening range of patented products. The company also customises products to meet specific client applications, which highlights its dedication and has helped build a strong brand image.

Every product from Rotrex A/S goes through an efficient and strict development process which follows the highest quality standards. The traction technology inside every Rotrex A/S supercharger demands components of high precision and accurate assembly. The manufacturing process is highly developed and involves efficient quality control and supply chain management. Before final release to the market, every product passes through demanding approval tests that are fully monitored and controlled.

Rotrex A/S has a global reach as well. Well known in Europe, it has its sales offices for the United States of America in the Los Angeles area, and contacts/agents in Japan, India, Australia, South America and South Africa. Currently, the company is working on downsizing projects that use superchargers combined with step-up, continuously variable transmission (CVT) and turbo technology. This trend of combining the development of boosting technologies and linking them to other systems such as transmissions is new in the market and are true innovations that the company is introducing in the market.

For its innovations in developing OEM and downsizing compatible superchargers that are economical, reliable and enable new combinations of forward pointing technologies, Rotrex A/S is the deserving recipient of the 2008 European Product Innovation Award in the powertrain market.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has demonstrated the ability to develop and/or advance products with more innovative capabilities than competing vendors and products. The award recognises the company's successful adoption of new or existing technology that has become a part of its well-designed product family. Such innovation is expected to significantly contribute to the industry in terms of product performance and degree/rate of technical change.