The target is the paint used on transformer products. Conventional solvent-based paints emit VOCs as vapor, which reacts with other pollutants and sunlight to produce harmful ground-level ozone and other oxidants known as smog. At ground level this can cause serious respiratory problems.
The plan is for all ABB transformer tanks, including those from sub-suppliers, to use new reduced VOC paint alternatives by 2012 instead of solvent-based paint, and initiative involves 50 ABB transformer factories and 28 service centers.
Typical solvent-based paints can contain 50 percent VOCs, while the alternatives chosen contain from 8 to15 percent.
"This effort will help us to substantially reduce our VOC emissions," said Markus Heimbach, head of ABB's global transformers business, a part its Power Products division. "It underlines our determination to be market leaders by setting new industry benchmarks of product performance, reliability, safety and minimal environmental impact."
ABB has already been using reduced VOC paints on some of its power and distribution transformers for 10 years, with good results. Building on this experience and in cooperation with qualified suppliers, ABB researchers have developed reduced VOC painting systems based on the ISO standard 12944-2.
In 2000, ABB took an important step to reduce VOC emissions by requiring its suppliers to stop using benzene, toulene and xylene in the paints they supplied to ABB to coat and protect motors produced at the ABB Shanghai Motor Company Ltd. In 2008, the motors factory started using only water-based paints with remarkable results, reducing the plant's VOC emissions by 80 percent, or 20 tons per year.
"We welcome such business initiatives that improve the environmental performance of our products," said Adrienne Williams, ABB's head of Environmental Affairs. "By creating a new, standardized painting process that reduces our solvent emissions and in addition reduces energy consumption and costs, ABB demonstrates its commitment to investing in a sustainable future."
The reduced VOC paint provides additional benefits, such as reduced manufacturing and delivery times, as well as a robust finish that provides proven protection. There is no additional cost impact, and in fact the lower VOC paint actually lowers energy costs in the application and drying process.
ABB has developed a variety of environmentally innovative transformer solutions as part of its green transformer program, conceived to reduce energy losses, improve energy efficiency, increase the overload capacity and minimize environmental impact of ABB transformers.
The reduced VOC paint iniative covers all ABB transformer products - from the smallest units to the giant 800 kilovolt UHVDC power transformer pictured above.
ABB's approach to sustainability is about balancing economic success, environmental stewardship and social progress to the benefit all stakeholders. The company is committed to phasing out the use of hazardous substances in all products and processes wherever it is technically and economically feasible.
