Objective The purpose of the project is to develop a commercially viable and novelcoating process which has significant advantages over current technology in theareas of environmental protection, new coating products and reduced processcosts. The primary tasks will be to develop new powder formulations forapplication to timber based substrates which are as good as the appearance and performance properties currently available for metal coating. A feasibilitystudy, has encouraged Eurotek Office Furniture Ltd (GB) to become the SME PrimeProposer of this project. Eurotek would like to develop a new finishing system based on solvent free materials which would be suitable for the coating of woodbased furniture panels. The project will conclude with the introduction of anew, successful and fully commercial panel coating operation on two SMEmanufacturing sites: furniture and parquet floor. Significant environmentalbenefits are predicted as the resultant process will enable manufacturingcompanies to reduce their Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) by 100%, whenfinishing wood based materials including Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF). Majorreductions in coating waste, of up to 90%, will also be possible. Manufacturingcosts will also be reduced significantly due to the advantages offered by a onecoat process compared to the more traditional multi coat processes which usessolvent based carriers. SMEs have the potential to reduce their finishing costsby up to 40% and 95% in energy consumption for the curing of coatings. Theproposed project involves both SMEs from the GB and The Netherlands togetherwith relevant research and development expertise at FIRA (GB), TNO (NL) and TheBuckinghamshire College (GB). Additional SME involvement is encouraged fromfurniture, plant and equipment suppliers throughout the EC. Fields of science natural scienceschemical sciencesorganic chemistryvolatile organic compoundsengineering and technologymaterials engineeringcoating and filmsagricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesforestry Programme(s) FP4-BRITE/EURAM 3 - Specific research and technological development programme in the field of industrial and materials technologies, 1994-1998 Topic(s) 0201 - Materials engineering Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme EAW - Exploratory awards Coordinator Eurotek Office Furniture Ltd. EU contribution No data Address Southern Cross Trading Estate PO22 9SB Bognor Regis United Kingdom See on map Total cost No data
