PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Traditionally, the lacquering of wooden (parts of) furniture results in the emission of large amounts of solvents (VOCs). These VOCs, used to dilute the lacquers, volatilize during preparation and processing of the lacquers. At Vroomshoop Meubelen, the production process consists of the design and processing of wood, the lacquering, assembling and packaging of the wooden furniture. In the past, during the processing of wooden furniture at Vroomshoop Meubelen, annually about 100 tonnes of VOCs were emitted into the air. Since 1990 research has been done to develop and formulate lacquers that can be used in the furniture industry in combination with Ultra Violet (UV)-curing. UV-curing was applicable in the furniture and wood processing industry for the primary treatment. Vroomshoop Meubelen has developed in this LIFE-project a clean UV wood processing technology for the application of the final and most important treatment step. Until recently, it was not possible to apply the UV-curing technology for the application of this treatment. The pigment within the lacquers absorbs the UV-light preventing activation of the photo-initiators. The environmental benefits of this innovative and clean technology are a reduction of the current VOC emission and solid waste production, enhancement of the product quality, a more efficient production process and improved working conditions. It is expected that this innovative technology can be applied in other industrial sectors for wood coating, metal decoration covering, plastic coating and the production of printed circuit boards, printing inks and cork.