Mazda Motor Corporation in Japan developed a new technology to reduce the use of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by 45 percent. VOCs are commonly found in paint used for car bodies, and are thought to cause ozone depletion and health hazards. Mazda has developed new paint ingredients that use less paint thinner (i.e., VOCs), and has also introduced more efficient painting robots to reduce the amount of paint wasted.

The company has also been able to reduce the coating process, decreasing CO2 emissions from the process by 15 percent. This technology will first be implemented at the company's Hofu Plant 1 in Hofu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture on a full scale, and followed later by other plants. Mazda is the first company in the world to paint the entire car surface in this manner.

http://www.mazda.com/

Posted: 2002/08/24 06:31:35 AM
Japanese version

TAG Chemicals , Global warming , Manufacturing industry , Technology