Reducing Air Emissions Examples
3M PPS Paint Preparation System Reduces Solvent Emissions
The 3M Paint Preparation System simplifies paint preparation in the automotive industry. By eliminating the need for mixing cups and filters, the paint preparation system reduces the need for cleaning solvents by as much as 70 percent and less paint is wasted. Conventional painting systems may require as much as a quart of solvents for cleanup per spray gun application. By contrast, 3M’s new painting system requires only a few ounces. Less solvent means less hazardous waste and lower volatile organic compound emissions, enabling automotive paint shops to maintain cleaner working environments and reduce costs.
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3M Brazil Reduces Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Emissions Through a Water-based Paper Treatment Process
3M’s Itapetininga, Brazil facility replaced the solvent-based paper treatment process used to manufacture packaging, medical and masking tapes with a water-based process. As a result of the new process, the Itapetininga facility reduced volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions by 47 tons annually. In addition, the facility was able to eliminate the use of its pollution control equipment, reducing the facility’s energy use and eliminating 127 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year.
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3M's Praire du Chien, Wisconsin Facility Eliminates the Need for Pollution Control Equipment Through Pollution Prevention
3M's Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin facility reduced volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and other air pollutant emissions to a point where it was no longer necessary to operate the facility's energy-intensive pollution control system. Coating reformulations and equipment modifications over time resulted in a reduction of approximately 90% of VOC and other air emissions. After achieving these reductions, the team worked with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to gain regulatory approval for shutting down the facility's pollution control system, saving 550 tons of greenhouse gases annually from electricity use and fuel combustion. By preventing pollution at the source, this team reduced air emissions and energy use and generated significant cost savings.
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New production Process Makes 3M™ Scotchmate™ Hook and Loop Products Solvent Free
3M's Fairmont, Minnesota facility has been manufacturing 3M™ Scotchmate™ Hook and Loop products since 1972. Historically, these products have been coated with pressure-sensitive adhesives releasing volatile organic compounds (VOCs). However, 3M Fairmont recently installed a new solvent-free coating technology. This change resulted in the elimination of 50 tons of air emissions and 1.5 tons of hazardous waste per year.
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Reformulated Scotch-Brite™ Dry Wipes Reduce Manufacturing VOC Emissions
Scotch-Brite™ Dry Wipes™ have a unique 3-D texture design with an adhesive in the recessed areas that allows the wipes to pick up more fine particles than similar products. In late 2004, 3M's Home Care Division reformulated the adhesive used in the wipes to eliminate emissions of over 12,000 pounds of air emissions during the first year of wipe manufacturing. Today, the wipes provide the same performance with a reduced environmental footprint.
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