C2764 - Colourtec Services Ltd - Powdercoater - Auckland Region

Summary
By replacing methylene chloride with heat treatment for paint stripping of products, the company has eliminated the landfilling of the chemical and saves over $3,600 per year.

Business Profile
Colourtec Services Ltd is a privately owned powder coat and liquid paint application company. The company is also involved in metal component manufacture and coating. The company is located in Auckland and currently employs 30 staff who work in two shifts. Processes include metal fabrication, cleaning/treatment, powder coating, spray painting and paint stripping.

Type of Project
Negotiation of tariffs for bulk power consumption, installation of counter current rinsing, paint stripping by incineration rather than methylene chloride

Reasons for Project
The company participated in the project because it was interested in improving its environmental performance and reducing costs at the same time. It was particularly interested in the reduction of energy and water consumption and in finding an alternative for methylene chloride used for paint stripping.

The Project

METAL CLEANING PROCESSES

Counter current rinsing

Details	A counter current rinsing system will be installed comprising of two 5,000 L tanks in series. Water consumption is expected to be reduced from 14m3 to 10m3 per day, equivalent to an annual reduction of almost 1,500 m3 per year.
Economics	Savings from water and wastewater charges are expected to be $2,400 per year. Costs associated with installing the system are nominal as the tanks are already available.
Benefits	Reduced water consumption.

Paint stripping by incineration rather than methylene chloride

Details	The landfilling of methylene chloride has been prohibited in the Auckland region since June 1996. This forced Colourtec Services to look at alternative methods for stripping paint from products. Paint is now removed offsite by another company through incineration in a high temperature furnace which has resulted in the elimination of methylene chloride use and the avoidance of sludge.
Economics	Economics Incineration costs are $1 per piece. Methylene chloride is eliminated resulting in savings of $3,600 per year.
Benefits	Elimination of methylene chloride use and sludge disposal. Reduced costs of $3,600 per year. Less down time. No handling of hazardous chemicals providing improved health and safety conditions.

For additional information contact:
Craig Milburn,
Colourtec Services Ltd,
PO Box 22 670,
Otahuhu,
Auckland
Ph 09-2767253
Fax 09-2766397

For further information about Cleaner Production in the Metal Industry see:

Opus International Consultants (September 1997): Cleaner Production Guide for the Metal Industry- Minimising waste, reducing costs and caring for the environment.