Decarbonized and circular paint-shop

Purpose and goal:

Volvo CE has clear goals to achieve a more energy-efficient, circular and sustainable paint shop through their work with SBTi. The primary focus areas of this project are, (1) conversion of furnaces from LPG to another energy carrier, (2) a technology shift in the pretreatment and powder coating and (3) choice of supply system and energy carriers. The overall aim of the project is to develop and build competence around a scientifically anchored process to reduce climate impact and to create a more circular use of resources, material and energy in paint shops.

Expected results and effects:

The project is based on a collaboration between Volvo CE, Chemetall, Vilokan, Teknos and Linköping University (LiU) where the three (3) areas presented above are investigated. The expected results consist of reduced climate effects of LPG use in ovens, reduced water demand in the pre-treatment, reduced use of phosphorus in raw materials, reduced sludge waste, increased circulation of powder and increased energy efficiency for the paint shop.

The project is also expected to result in an PhD dissertation and at least three scientific articles. Approach and implementation:

The project will be carried out in the form of four work packages where (WP1) State-of-the-art review, containing a review, (WP2) Resource- and climate-efficient pretreatment, containing design of a test facility, experimental work and modelling, (WP3) Resource- and climate-efficient ovens, containing measurement, modeling and implementation and (WP4) Resource-efficient and circular paint shop 2030 and 2040, which consists of a synthesis work where a decarbonisation plan is presented.