AkzoNobel and leading Chinese automaker JAC Motors have pioneered the first use of VOC-free powder technology for automotive body coatings.

As sustainability continues to gain importance in China, AkzoNobel’s Interpon powder technology is being successfully used by JAC for coating SLX truck bodies at its site in Mengcheng, China.

“The application of high-performance powder coating solutions in body coatings represents a major technological breakthrough in this sector,” said Eddie Wang, business director for AkzoNobel’s Powder Coatings business in North Asia. “This partnership demonstrates how we are supporting sustainability in the automotive industry by offering benefits such as minimizing both resource wastage and environmental pollution.”

Chinese automakers have been looking for ways to meet new coatings standards and Wenping Xing, technical director of JAC Motors, explained that powder coatings offer major opportunities to help meet those requirements.

“Environmental friendliness is a top priority as we pursue production technology excellence,” she said. “Powder coatings have advantages such as high utility rates and zero wastage, making them a sustainable solution of choice for body coatings. Our first power coating line for trucks combined the proven technologies of AkzoNobel and state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment. We are now planning a second powder coating line.”

The companies discussed the technology at an industry forum on Dec. 9 in Shanghai, organized by the coating division of the China Surface Engineering Association. The association’s Secretary General Wailing Wu has called for all industry-related companies to take action to put cleaner manufacturing into practice.

“We should strive to enable manufacturing processes and equipment that produce high-efficiency with fewer emissions,” she commented. “These efforts will ensure the long-term sustainable development of the industry.”