Takata goes green

Because of possible disposal problems with conventional sodium azide-fueled inflators, air bag producers are racing to develop more environmentally friendly versions (see WAW--June '95, p. 41). Takata Inc. claims to be the first supplier to provide automakers with an "ultra-downsized, environmentally friendly, non-azide inflator for the '96 model year." The new air bags will be used on four vehicle lines. "With just our existing contracts, we're scheduled to reach annual production of approximately 1.6 million EnviroSure inflators for the 1998 model year," brags Tom Kowalski, Takata's vice president of sales and marketing.