Global Environment Benefits When Auto Body Shops Switch to Water-Based Paints
14 Million Pounds of Emissions Prevented Annually.
Wilmington, DE (Vocus/PRWEB ) October 13, 2008 –- Fourteen million pounds of air emissions have been eliminated annually since tens of thousands of auto collision repair shops in more than 30 countries began using DuPont water-based paints rather than traditional solvent-based coatings, according to DuPont environmental data.
Paints that use solvents as a curing mechanism emit volatile organic compounds (VOC) and other substances as they dry. VOC’s are one of many substances that can contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone or smog. Based on standard calculations of paint use in collision repair shops, DuPont scientists estimate that the switch to waterborne coatings prevents nearly 10 million pounds of VOC emissions. Similarly, more than four million pounds of “hazardous air pollutants,” or HAPs, are eliminated. U.S. Congress has identified more than 188 HAPs which, under certain circumstances, may cause adverse health and environmental effects.
“The highest concentration of shops converted to waterborne finishes is in Europe, where environmental regulations have long required the use of these products,” said John G. McCool, vice president and general manager -- DuPont Refinish Systems. “We expect the numbers to increase substantially in parts of California, Canada, South Korea, Hong Kong and other areas as regulations take effect.”
For example, California’s two largest air quality management districts in 2009 will impose strict emissions regulations. Some collision repair shop owners fear the new regulations will slow their paint operations and impact their costs. However, unlike solvent-based color coats that require painters to wait while solvent “flashes off” or evaporates, additional coats of water-based finishes, such as DuPont™ Cromax® Pro, can be applied while the first coat is still wet, saving labor time. In addition, fewer layers of water-based color coats are required to achieve a high-quality automotive finish, saving more time and reducing the amount of paint used.
Conversion to waterborne paints requires relatively minor modifications to equipment and procedures. Factoring in productivity improvements, the new DuPont products are no more costly than their conventional counterparts.
DuPont – one of the first companies to publicly establish environmental goals 18 years ago – has broadened its sustainability commitments beyond internal footprint reduction to include market-driven targets for both revenue and research and development investment. The goals are tied directly to business growth, specifically to the development of safer and environmentally improved new products for key global markets.
DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.
Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements based on management’s current expectations, estimates and projections. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about the company’s strategy for growth, product development, market position, expected expenditures and financial results are forward-looking statements. Some of the forward-looking statements may be identified by words like “expects,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “intends,” “projects,” “indicates,” and similar expressions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors, including those discussed more fully elsewhere in this release and in DuPont’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly its latest annual report on Form 10-K, as well as others, could cause results to differ materially from those stated. These factors include, but are not limited to changes in the laws, regulations, policies and economic conditions of countries in which the company does business; competitive pressures; successful integration of structural changes, including acquisitions, divestitures and alliances; research and development of new products, including regulatory approval and market acceptance, and seasonality of sales of agricultural products.
10/13/08
The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont™, The miracles of science™ and Cromax® are registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates.
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