TOKYO, Japan - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will tonight award Japan-based DENSO Corporation the 2002 EPA Climate Protection Award at the agency's Earth Technologies Forum in Washington, D.C.

The award, one of 20 presented to individuals, organizations and teams internationally, recognizes the DENSO Water Heater Design Team (DENSO, Tokyo Electric Power Company and Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry located in Tokyo) in developing and marketing the world's first mass-produced CO2 refrigerant, heat-pump water heater for households.

Compared to a combustion-type water heater, this water heater reduces the amount of CO2 emissions by approximately 50 percent due to its "innovative design and energy-saving features," EPA officials said in announcing the award.

"This has potential for a huge overall CO2 emissions reduction because hot water supply uses one-third of the total energy consumed by Japanese households," EPA officials continued. "The CO2 refrigerant heat-pump water heater lessens the impact to global warming and leads to ecologically sustainable lifestyles," DENSO officials said.

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"DENSO's basic policy on environmental issues - DENSO EcoVision 2005 - focuses on the environmental impact of products as they are used and after they are disposed as well as strengthening cooperation with outside parties on environmental issues," said Koichi Fukaya, a managing director of DENSO. "By combining the technological strength and know-how of the three organizations, we were able to achieve extraordinary results with our water heater design."

Although DENSO is known worldwide for its automotive technology, systems and components, the company also makes non-automotive products such as the CO2 refrigerant hot water heater, industrial robots and bar code readers.

"First evaluated by EPA staff, candidates were then evaluated and judged by an international panel representing industry, academia, government and international non-governmental organizations," said Caley Johnson, director of Climate Protection Awards, Climate Protection Partnerships Division, EPA. "The EPA made the final selection."

This is the second major environmental award earned by DENSO within the last six months. Late last year, an environmental rating survey, conducted by Innovest Strategic Value Advisors, ranked DENSO first among 18 automotive supplier companies.

DENSO Corporation, headquartered in Kariya, Aichi prefecture, Japan, is a leading global supplier of advanced technology, systems and components. Worldwide, the company employs 85,000 people in 29 countries, including Japan. Consolidated global sales for fiscal year ended March 31, 2001 totaled US$16.2 billion.

In North America, DENSO employs 14,000 people at 23 companies. North American consolidated sales for fiscal year ended Dec. 30, 2000 totaled US$3.8 billion.

DENSO common stock is traded on the Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya stock exchanges in Japan. For more information, see www.globaldenso.com or www.densocorp-na.com.

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