System to minimize volatil organic compounds (VOC) in footwear and furniture industries

Objective

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) have a negative effect on the environment through multiple and complex chemical reactions in the atmosphere. The amount of VOCs emitted into the atmosphere within the European Union is very high, namely, 20 million tonnes annually. VoC emissions within the footwear industry principally stem from the use of organic solvents, used in the finishing processes of tanned skins, in a adhesives manufacturing and in the manufacture of footwear itself. In the furniture sector, most of the coating methods (varnishes, lacquers) that are employed contain a high percentage (up to 85% in their formation of organic solvents, which in the application process and drying are released into the atmosphere. Although obtaining products that are free form organic solvents is being researched it is foreseeable that even in the long term 100% of solvents will not be avoided. Furthermore, there is no existing application on the worldwide market for the elimination of VOCs which offers viable and economic solutions, and which can be adapted to the particularities of these sectors (micro-companies). The objective of this project is to obtain a VOC treatment system combining the technology of adsorption and catalysis, adapted to the characteristics of the footwear and furniture sectors, allowing the industries to adapt to ever increasingly restrictive environmental requirements.

Fields of science

Programme(s)

FP4-BRITE/EURAM 3 - Specific research and technological development programme in the field of industrial and materials technologies, 1994-1998

Topic(s)

0102 - Development of clean production technologies

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

EAW - Exploratory awards

Coordinator

Norba C/V

Address

3,avenida Joaquin Poveda
03610 Petrel
Spain

Participants (1)

Innovaterm

Italy