Valvoline® and Cummins Filtration form alliance to market Air Shield™ Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)

Valvoline® and Cummins Filtration form alliance to market Air Shield™ Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Ashland Consumer Markets (Valvoline) and Cummins Filtration today announced a new alliance to package, market and distribute Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) in North America. Diesel Exhaust Fluid is required for Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems used to meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) diesel engine emissions regulations introduced in 2010. 

Fleetguard®-Valvoline® Air Shield™ DEF will be offered through the Cummins and Valvoline distribution channels in the United States and Canada beginning in April 2010. Air Shield DEF is conveniently packaged in 1-gallon and 2.5-gallon bottles, drums and totes. The 2.5 gallon packaging features a vented bottle that can be entirely dispensed in less than 30 seconds, making it fast and easy to use. Exclusive and dedicated Valvoline packaging lines ensure the quality and consistency meet ISO 22241 specifications. 

Compatible with all SCR systems, Air Shield DEF is API and AdBlue* - certified and enables on-highway diesel engines to meet the EPA’s near zero oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emission levels required for 2010 and later on-highway diesel engines. The SCR systems work by mixing DEF with engine exhaust, which then flows through a SCR catalyst and reacts to form harmless nitrogen and water vapor.

The new alliance is an extension of the Valvoline and Cummins relationship, initiated in 1995, to deliver products and services that optimize total cost of ownership. "The expansion of this powerful partnership combines our operational strengths to enhance accessibility of genuine DEF technology to meet the growing needs of 2010 engine customers," said K.C. Hall, Director of Business Development for Cummins Filtration. "The high quality packaging expertise of Valvoline, along with their delivery and distribution capabilities, is an excellent complement and enabler to our mission of providing consistent and high quality DEF to our customers at the best possible convenience and cost," Hall said.

"We are pleased to be partnering with Cummins Filtration on DEF," said John Noal, vice president, international and commercial, for Valvoline. "Cummins has been supplying DEF product to the market for several years, and as an engine producer, they are also in a unique position to understand what is best for the engine and our mutual customers. Together, we form an unrivaled supply chain to provide customers with easy and convenient order fulfillment."

For more information about Air Shield DEF, contact your Valvoline or Cummins Filtration sales representative, or call 1-800-TEAMVAL (1-800-832-6825) to reach Valvoline or 1-800-22FILTER (1-800-223-4583) to reach Cummins Filtration.  

About Valvoline and Ashland
Valvoline, a brand of Ashland Inc., has been serving American motorists longer than any other motor oil. The Valvoline family of products includes Eagle One® appearance products, Car Brite® car restoration products, Zerex® antifreeze, SynPower® performance products, and MaxLife® products created for higher-mileage engines. Valvoline products for serving the heavy-duty on-highway and industrial markets include Valvoline Premium Blue® engine oils, Syn Gard™ FE gear oils, ZEREX® antifreeze/coolant, OEM-endorsed products, natural gas engine oils, transmission fluids, greases and hydraulic and industrial oils. With more than 850 locations throughout the United States, Valvoline Instant Oil Change® is a leader in serving the quick-lube market. For information about becoming a VIOC franchisee, call 1-800-622-6864.

Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) provides specialty chemical products, services and solutions for many of the world’s most essential industries. Serving customers in more than 100 countries, it operates through five commercial units: Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients, Ashland Hercules Water Technologies, Ashland Performance Materials, Ashland Consumer Markets (Valvoline) and Ashland Distribution. To learn more about Ashland, visit www.ashland.com.

About Cummins Filtration and Cummins
Cummins Filtration Inc. is a wholly owned business unit of Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) and the world's leading designer and manufacturer of filtration and chemical technology products for all engine-powered equipment. The company's homepage can be found at cumminsfiltration.com.  In North America, customers can call Cummins Filtration Customer Assistance at 1-800-22FILTER (1-800-223-4583) for more information.  To find a local Fleetguard product retailer, customers can visit the Worldwide Retail locator at cumminsfiltration.com/wrl.

Cummins Inc., a global power leader, is a corporation of complementary business units that design, manufacture, distribute and service engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission solutions and electrical power generation systems. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana, (USA) Cummins serves customers in approximately 190 countries and territories through a network of more than 500 company-owned and independent distributor locations and approximately 5,200 dealer locations. Cummins reported net income of $428 million on sales of $10.8 billion in 2009. Press releases can be found on the Web at www.cummins.com.

Valvoline is a registered trademark of Ashland or its subsidiaries
Air Shield is a trademark of Ashland or its subsidiaries
Fleetguard and AdBlue are registered trademarks of Cummins Inc.
* Trademark of a third party