A major automaker has begun testing a catalyzed motor oil formulation developed by The Platinum Research Organization (PRO) that may boost the effectiveness and durability of catalytic converters.

According to PRO president and chief executive officer John Jaeger the company has developed a formulation that can be used to reduce the amount of ZDDP (zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate), which experts say hampers the efficacy of catalytic converters.

In tests conducted at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) PRO's catalyzed formulation added to motor oil allowed a reduction of the phosphorous levels from ZDDP while enhancing ZDDP's wear protection ability.

Jaeger explained that the industry is looking for ways to reduce and ultimately eliminate ZDDP in motor oil in order to help meet US Environmental Protection Agency requirements for the 2004 automobile model year.

According to Jaeger, PRO's new technology not only achieves a reduction of phosphorous from ZDDP to 0.05 per cent, but it also paves the way for the future elimination of ZDDP entirely.

Results on the technology from the automaker are expected within 60 days, Jaeger said.