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VOC Reduction

Lightolier - Elimination of Trichloroethylene and Reduction of VOC Emissions. OTA 1997.

  Lightolier has eliminated the use of approximately 1.25 million pounds of Trichloroethylene at their Fall River, Massachusetts plant. The company found less toxic alternatives and modified their production process, which eliminated more than 4 million pounds of air emissions, with savings of more than $2 million. Download PDF file (2.10 MB)

ESP Lock Products, Inc. - Vegetable Oil Lubricant Replacement. 1999.

  In 1997, the company replaced highly volatile lubricating oils used in making key blanks with a non-VOC lubricant derived from vegetable oil. Ultra-low volume misting units were installed to apply the new oil, These two changes completely eliminated 10.9 tons/year of VOC emissions, achieved a net savings of $20,500/year in materials purchasing cost, significantly limited worker exposure to hazardous chemicals, and freed ESP from air quality and flammable storage compliance requirements. Download PDF file (35.16 kB)

Brownell Boat Stands, Inc. - Low-VOC Coatings. OTA 1999.

  In an effort to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from its coating operations, Brownell Boat Stands, Incorporated switched from low-percent solids paint thinned with toluene to high-solids coatings that could be thinned with acetone, a non-VOC. Brownell also enlarged its manufacturing facility to allow product inventory to be stored inside, and installed an automatic dip coating machine to handle a portion of the company’s production line. Thanks to these changes, the company has been able to reduce VOC emissions by half while steadily increasing production. Download PDF file (14.42 kB)

Crest Foam - Elimination of Methylene Chloride Use in Manufacturing Process. OTA 1997.

  Crest Foam of Newburyport, Massachusetts recently embarked on an ambitious program to eliminate the use of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the firm's polyurethane foam process. The company eliminated the use of 190,000 lbs./year of methylene chloride by installing an innovative foam manufacturing process called the "Cardio Process". The Cardio Process uses CO2 instead of methylene chloride or CFC-11 as the auxiliary blowing agent. By making this change, Crest Foam avoided the need to install costly air pollution control equipment or reduce its production of foam products, either of which would have threatened the long-term survival of the facility. Download PDF file (22.17 kB)