Environmental Regulations Recognize UV/EB for Industry

BETHESDA, MD--Two recent rulings by California's South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) recognize Ultraviolet and Electron Beam curing technologies (UV/EB) as environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional industrial processes.

First, the SCAQMD has explicitly incorporated UV/EB into its Title V (Federal Operating Permit) Program, so that companies using the technology may be able to avoid complex permitting requirements. Title V-- generally considered a costly, time-consuming hurdle for U.S. companies--is an amendment to the Clean Air Act of 1990, mandating sweeping new permitting procedures for major industrial sources of pollution. According to a SCAQMD staff report, the emissions related to UV/EB operations are considered too small to be required to file reports." "Given the added monitoring, record keeping and public noticing requirements under Title V, the exemption provides a significant benefit to current and potential users of UV/EB," says David Snyder of Fusion UV.

In a separate second ruling, SCAQMD is requiring a 65% reduction in pollution causing emissions by certain "large" coating and solvent facilities, and--in an effort to encourage pollution prevention and offer added compliance flexibility--the rule allows for reformulation to low VOC processes such as UV/EB. Under this rule, UV/EB materials would be considered equivalent to add-on control devices. Furthermore, companies who currently use UV/EB would automatically be considered compliant.    "The use of ultra low/zero-VOC material, including UV/EB technology, offers companies in the South Coast the flexibility to reduce emissions at the source and is expected to be the preferred method for demonstrating compliance with this rule," says Laki Tisopulos, SCAQMD Planning and
Rules Manager. Companies involved in major markets for UV/EB, including aerospace, metal, plastics, fiberglass-reinforced plastics and wood products are subject to the rule. This rule acknowledges that end-of-pipe controls are not the only way to improve air quality and validates the environmental benefits of UV/EB," says Rita Loof, of RadTech.

UV and EB are technologies that instantly "cure" or polymerize inks, coatings, and adhesives. Traditional curing methods involve hot air and/or oven drying and often result in high levels of air polluting emissions. UV/EB technology typically provides end users a safer, faster, more efficient process, combined with very low VOC emissions. As a result the industry has been growing at over twice the rate of the traditional coatings industry over the last several years.

RadTech International North America is a nonprofit trade association dedicated to the technical, educational and market advancement of ultraviolet and electron beam processes. RadTech has over 700 members that supply and use UV/EB equipment, raw materials and formulated products.

3 Bethesda Metro Center, Suite 700 < Bethesda, MD 20814< Phone: 301/664-8408 < uveb@radtech.org < www.radtech.org