Hot gas particulate filtration, in particular the diesel filter particulate emissions control market, is being driven by new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations that took effect in 2004. This market is expected to trace a path of high growth similar to that of the multi billion-dollar ceramic catalyst support (vehicle catalytic converter) market. Ceramics are the materials of choice for this application, and Starfire® technology addresses many of the technical issues associated with particulate filter manufacturing and operating processes.