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Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of Oem Automotive Paint Shop
Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of Oem Automotive Paint Shop
Title: ENVIRONMENTAL LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT OF OEM AUTOMOTIVE PAINT SHOP
TECHNOLOGIES
Authors: Jason Pierce, Josh Seeley
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a standardized methodology for assessing the environmental impacts and
trade‐offs for product systems. Eastman Chemical Company completed a “cradle‐to‐painted car” LCA
study comparing the greenhouse gas (GHG) impacts and volatile organic compound (VOC) emission
performance of five representative Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) automotive paint shop
configurations. Paint shop data was provided by IHS. The configurations included: 1) three‐coat two‐
bake (3C2B) waterborne (WB) basecoat with 1K clearcoat; 2) 3C2B WB basecoat with 2K clearcoat; 3)
low solids solventborne basecoat with 1K clearcoat; 4) compact three‐coat one‐bake (3C1B) high solids
solventborne basecoat with 1K clearcoat; and 5) 3C1B WB basecoat with 1K clearcoat. The goal of the
study was to compare general classes of technologies to assist in understanding and decision making.
The study concludes that the 3C1B high solids solventborne compact paint process can achieve the
lowest GHG impacts while meeting current European VOC emission limits of 35 g/m2. However, if
OEM’s choose to not use VOC emission abatement in some regions of the world, then WB technologies
are required in order to meet the 35 g/m2 limit.
The study supports an attractive sustainability position for high solids solventborne compact paint
process technology. Waterborne coatings were first developed over 20 years ago to control VOC
emissions. High solids solventborne coatings have been developed in the meantime and can offer
reduced energy consumption and greenhouse gas intensity relative to waterborne technologies‐ with
comparable VOC emissions. The results of this study are recommended for consideration by
policymakers and stakeholders.
For more information please see:
Pierce CJ, Seeley JP. Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of OEM Automotive Paint Shop Technologies.
PCI Magazine. July 2014; 42‐27.