Toyota Motor Corp. and Daihatsu Motor Co. announced on November 4, 2004 that with Kansai Paint Co. they had jointly developed a new environment-friendly, water-based paint and new painting methods. The new painting technology not only eliminates emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), but also reduces emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2).

Since VOCs generate photochemical oxidants and suspended particulate matter (SPM), sources of air pollution, many countries are seeking ways to reduce these emissions from products. Various water-based paints had been considered as substitutes for solvent-based ones, but many technical challenges made it difficult to reduce CO2-emissions at the same time.

The new technology is reportedly the first in the world to allow a process of applying one solid coat after an undercoat, by using the newly developed water-based paint. The companies also developed another technology that cuts CO2 emissions by reducing drying time. The new technology makes it possible to use just one drying process after a series of coatings (a second coating and another coating with water-based paint, and clear coat with solvent) eliminating the drying after the second coat,.

These new technologies are expected to reduce VOC emissions by about 70 percent and CO2 emissions by about 15 percent compared with conventional processes, resulting in the lowest emission levels in the world. Daihatsu began selling cars painted with these new technologies on December 20, 2004.



Posted: 2005/03/02 11:09:28 AM
Japanese version

TAG Chemicals , Global warming , Manufacturing industry , Technology , Transportation