A US and a German copper tube manufacturer have launched a joint venture to develop new heat transfer technologies.
German manufacturer Wieland and its US counterpart Wolverine Tube­ have formed Wolverine/Wieland Heat Transfer Technologies (WWHTT).

WWHTT will develop new heat transfer technologies, processes and products that will be licensed to Wolverine, Wieland and third parties.

'WWHTT will develop technologies that allow engineers to create air conditioning and refrigeration systems with higher efficiency, lower end-user operating cost, and reduced refrigerant use,' said Harold Karp, president and chief operating officer of Wolverine.

'The rapidly changing technical requirements of our markets will only be met by an ability to revolutionize heat transfer technology. WWHTT will leverage the heat transfer technology of two world-class companies to create best-in-class solutions for our customers and markets,' said Bernd Grasshof, vice president of Wieland's Tube division.

The Wieland group previously established a joint venture with Wolverine in China in 2008 when it purchased a 30% equity interest in Wolverine Tube Shanghai.