Car Painting Revolution: CO2 Emissions Slashed
Car manufacturing is a major contributor to CO2 emissions, with painting a surprising culprit. To tackle this challenge, Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. announced a revolutionary “paint transfer sheet” that significantly reduces carbon dioxide emissions in the automobile painting process.
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Tokyo, Japan – May 21, 2024 – Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. (Sekisui Chemical) today announced the successful development of a revolutionary "paint transfer sheet" that leverages the company's expertise in material design, compounding, and film coating technologies cultivated through its tape manufacturing business. Slated for commercial launch in 2026, this innovative solution aims to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions associated with the automotive painting process.
The paint transfer sheet features a sandwich structure, with a proprietary paint film sandwiched between a transfer film and a support film. The "paint layer," comprising a clear layer and a color layer, is several tens of micrometers thick, equivalent to the thickness of conventional paint. The adhesive paint layer is applied and cured using heat or other means. This versatile sheet can be used with a wide range of paints and is suitable for roll storage.
According to Sekisui Chemical, the painting process accounts for approximately 20% of total carbon emissions in automobile manufacturing, posing a significant challenge to achieving carbon neutrality. By utilizing the paint transfer sheet on the roof of a two-tone car, CO2 emissions can be halved. The reduction is even more substantial for multi-tone and decorative line painting, offering car manufacturers not only environmental benefits but also the potential for reduced painting time, improved efficiency, and even new design possibilities.
Sekisui Chemical is actively pursuing the establishment of mass production methods and exploring low-temperature application technologies to expand the sheet's usage to heat-sensitive materials. This groundbreaking paint transfer sheet promises a greener future for the automotive industry.
