Fujitsu Laboratories Develops Industry's First Bio-Derived, Water-based Paint
December 09 2014 - 11:08PM
JCN Newswire (English)
Reduces CO2 emissions by 60% and volatile organic compounds by 80%
compared to solvent-based paint
Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd., in an industry first, today announced
the development of a bio-derived, water-based paint that can be
used to paint the plastic chassis of servers, PCs, and other ICT
equipment.
The newly developed bio-derived, water-based paint uses an emulsion
of polylactic acid resin(1), derived from plants. Using reactive
isocyanate(2) promotes hardening, while applying heat promotes
bonding among the polylactic acid particles. Both reactions result
in good film-forming performance even at low temperature. Compared
to conventional solvent-based paint, the newly developed paint
reduces CO2 emissions by 60%(3) and volatile organic compounds
(VOC)(4) by 80%.
Fujitsu plans to expand the use of this paint in its own products,
such as servers and PCs, in order to conserve resources and reduce
environmental burden.
This technology will be exhibited at Eco-Products 2014, running
December 11-13 at Tokyo Big Sight.
Background
With the acceleration of global warming, reducing CO2 emissions is
an urgent matter. Moreover, reduction of the VOCs that are a source
of photochemical smog is also an increasingly serious issue for
protecting the environment. VOCs are mostly found in solvent-based
paints, printing inks, adhesives, detergents, gasoline, and
thinners, and paints account for some 40% of all the VOC
emissions(5).
In 2002, Fujitsu started using a polylactic acid plastic derived
from corn in the chassis of its laptop PCs. In recent years,
bio-based materials have been used for solvent-based paints, in
addition to materials for chassis.
Solvents in paints are a major source of VOCs, so switching from a
solvent-based paint to a water-based paint is an effective way to
reduce VOCs. For that reason, in 2013, Fujitsu Laboratories
developed the industry's first water-based paint that could be used
for ICT equipment, and applied it to Fujitsu UNIX Server SPARC
M10-4 and Fujitsu UNIX Server SPARC M10-4S.
Technological Issues
Switching from solvent-based paint to water-based paint for ICT
equipment such as servers and PCs presents a number of challenges
in terms of the required coating performance for ICT equipment
chassis, specifically hardness, adhesion, chemical resistance,
weather resistance, and appearance.
- Paints using polylactic acid emulsion have poor adhesion to the
base material and coated film is very weak.
- Polylactic acid tends to degrade in the presence of water, and
water will cause the film to whiten.
- With water-based paints, the resins are dispersed in the water as
microparticles, rather than being dissolved, so promoting contact
and fusion of particles requires the water to be evaporated. This
has required drying temperatures of 100degC or above, which is more
than the plastics used in ICT chassis can tolerate without
deformation.
About the Technology
Fujitsu Laboratories has worked with Mikasa Paint Company, Ltd.(6)
to develop a water-based paint that uses an emulsion of polylactic
acid, which is derived from biomaterials, and that offers the
performance required for ICT equipment.
This bio-derived, water-based paint uses the effects of a hardening
reaction and fusion to form a coating film with the high
performance required for ICT equipment. Features of the technology
are as follows.
1. Hydroxyls that promote the degradation of polylactic acids in
water are bonded with isocyanates into urethane, which limits this
degradation to produce a tough, water-resistant coating.
2. Minute additions of supplementary solvents (auxiliary agents)
adjust the volatility of the water content, promoting the reaction
of polylactic acid with isocyanate into urethane. This provides
good adhesion and good film-forming performance required of ICT
equipment, at a temperature low enough that plastic will not be
deformed.
Results
The use of this bio-derived, water-based paint enables a 60%
reduction in CO2 emissions, thereby helping to reduce the burden on
the environment. Moreover, compared to conventional solvent-based
paint, VOC emissions can also be reduced by 80%.
Future Plans
Fujitsu Laboratories is continuing with R&D work aimed at color
tuning and mass production, with the goal of a commercial
implementation during fiscal 2016. By applying this technology to
Fujitsu's ICT equipment, the company will further its initiatives
for resource conservation and reducing the burden on the
environment.
Notes:
(1) Emulsion
Two types of liquids that will not mix with each other, but where
one is scattered through the other as micro-particles. Mayonnaise
and milk are typical examples of emulsions.
(2) Isocyanate
A compound where part has the structure -N=C=O. This carbon in an
isocyanate is an electrophile that makes it highly reactive.
(3) Reduces CO2 emissions by 60%
CO2 is calculated over the entirety of the developed paint's
lifecycle, from manufacture to disposal.
(4) Volatile organic compound
Organic chemicals that are gasses at room temperature, and disperse
easily into the atmosphere. When released into the environment they
cause health problems.
(5) 40% of all VOC emissions come from paints
Source: Fiscal 2013 Volatile Organic Compound Emission Inventory
Study Group Report
(6) Mikasa Paint Company, Ltd.
Headquartered in Ichikawa, Chiba Prefecture, President Hiromasa
Terauchi
About Fujitsu Limited
Fujitsu is the leading Japanese information and communication
technology (ICT) company offering a full range of technology
products, solutions and services. Approximately 170,000 Fujitsu
people support customers in more than 100 countries. We use our
experience and the power of ICT to shape the future of society with
our customers. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated
revenues of 4.4 trillion yen (US$47 billion) for the fiscal year
ended March 31, 2013 For more information, please see
www.fujitsu.com.
Source: Fujitsu Limited
Contact:
Fujitsu Limited
Public and Investor Relations
www.fujitsu.com/global/news/contacts/
+81-3-3215-5259
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