Efficiency

Decorative metallic coating for plastic parts. ePD™ is short for embedded PVD. Conventional metal coatings use chromium III and chromium VI, which are toxic to humans and the environment. This coating consists of three layers; the metallization effect is sandwiched between two layers of UV lacquer. The process is completely automated and is achieved by the INUBIA I6 and I12 systems. The first layer is the base coat. This base coat equalizes irregularities on the surface of the plastic. The inline PVD is placed on top of this base layer through magnetron sputtering in a vacuum chamber.

High-volume, non-toxic chrome plating technology for plastic parts. Interior and exterior plastic surfaces are often coated for decorative purposes. The Cromatipic® coating deposition process is free of toxic hexavalent chrome and VOCs, resulting in low emissions. Hexavalent chrome is highly toxic to humans and the environment. A CO2 cleaning process removes hydrocarbon and organic particles of various sizes. The spray lacquer does not contain any VOCs, making the VOC burn-off process unnecessary.

Yttrium-based metal primer to resist corrosion in automobiles. Cationic electrodeposition primers provide corrosion resistance, high transfer efficiency (low waste), reliable automated application, and very low organic emissions in the automobile industry. Traditional electrocoats utilize lead salts or lead pigments to enable their high corrosion resistance properties. Using yttrium is 100 times safer than lead at typical levels of use and is more effective in preventing corrosion. Yttrium is a common element in the environment and more plentiful than lead and silver.

Fatty acid ester alcohol that acts as a coalescing agent and reactive diluent in alkyd and latex paints. This product is based on sustainable technology and uses renewable triglycerides (unsaturated fatty acid) as feedstock. These renewable triglycerides facilitate film formation and remain as part of the coating by incorporating the VOCs into the paint coating as fatty acid esters. The product is made by the interestification of vegetable oil fatty acid esters and propylene glycol to monoesters of the fatty acids.

UV-curable, one-component, low VOC automobile paint primer. This primer is made through a new urethane acrylate oligomer primer system. The primer cures in minutes from UV light, which is ten times faster than conventional urethane technologies. The primer requires fewer preparation steps, has a lower application rate, is more durable, controls corrosion better, and has an unlimited shelf life. This automobile paint primer contains less than half the amount of VOCs in conventional primers and is diisocyanate-free (a major source of occupational asthma).

Alkyd paint from recycled plastic bottles (PET), acrylics, and soybean oil with low concentrations of VOCs. Traditional alkyd paints are made with a solvent-borne coating and constituents of the petroleum industry. PET is incorporated in a polymeric alkyd-acrylic dispersion (LAAD), which gives the paint more rigidity, hardness, and hydrolytic resistance. Acrylic decreases the drying time and increases durability. Soybean oil stimulates film formation and improves floss, flexibility, and paint cure.

Chrome plating with trivalent chromium. Conventional chrome plating uses hexavalent chromium. Hexavalent chromium is the most toxic form of chromium due to its carcinogenic properties. This technology uses trivalent chromium, which is much less toxic and non-carcinogenic. This company uses a new electrodeposition process alternating between a cathodic pulse followed by an anodic pulse and a relaxation period. This process allows for thicker coatings of trivalent chromium and allows the structure and properties of the coating to be adjusted.

Custom techniques for manufacturing products. By utilizing custom techniques for their products, Novasep is able to make their processes more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly by enabling synthesis through shorter routes with improved purity and yield. This also allows for solvent recycling, which lowers costs and reduces consumption.

High-power ultrasonic homogenizers. Ultrasonic power is an effective and energy-efficient alternative to high-shear mixers, high-pressure homogenizers, and agitated bead mills. It is used to apply high shear and intense stress to liquids, powder-liquid mixtures, and slurries. This device is used for mixing, dispersing, particle size reduction, extraction, and chemical reactions. This extraction process generates no impurities or hazardous chemicals. Liquid regeneration also allows for prolonged use of cleaning liquids.