Manufacturing Publications

REDUCTION OF PAINT VOC EMISSIONS AT MONROE AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT COMPANY

SUMMARY

The Monroe Automotive Equipment Company in Hartwell, GA reduced paint waste and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions by switching to a chemical deposition coating system.

BACKGROUND

Monroe produces struts for the automotive original equipment manufacturers and the parts after market. The completed strut assemblies were dip painted with a water-based paint containing glycol ether as a cosolvent. The operation required the time consuming task of masking shafts and bushings to prevent coating of these surfaces. An earlier change from solvent-based paint to water-based paint reduced the company’s TRI emissions. However, the glycol ethers in the water-based paint are listed TRI chemicals that required annual reporting. The company’s goal was to eliminate hazardous emissions wherever possible.

PROCESS MODIFICATIONS

After investigating several alternatives, Monroe installed a chemical deposition coating system. This system applies a uniform coating to only the steel components of the strut assembly. Excess material is washed off as the assembly is removed from the dip tank. The struts then pass through an oven that cures the coating.

RESULTS

The switch to the chemical deposition system eliminated VOC emissions from the coating process, a reduction of 30,000 pounds annually. In addition, the new coating system reduced paint waste by 23 percent and eliminated labor necessary to mask assembly components.

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