Ford expands environment-friendly 3-Wet paint capacity by 50 per cent globally in 2013

Ford Motor Company is expanding its industry-leading 3-Wet paint capacity by 50 per cent this year, adding the environment-friendly process to four more plants on three continents. The actions will reduce CO2 emissions by an estimated 15-25
per cent at those facilities.

Ford was the first automaker to implement the 3-Wet high-solids solvent-borne technology in 2007; it now has eight plants in North America, Asia Pacific and Europe equipped to use the process to paint vehicles. High-solids solvent-borne technology refers to a paint formulated to minimise solvents, resulting in a concentrated pigment and resin mixture with fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released. The technology will be in place in 12 plants in 2013 then expand to additional facilities worldwide over the next four years.

"The 3-Wet paint process is significantly more advanced than conventional technologies in applying durable paints in a high-quality, environmentally sound and cost-efficient manner," said Bruce Hettle, Director of Manufacturing Engineering.

The 3-Wet process derives its name from three layers of paint applied one after the other prior to earlier coats having cured. The process eliminates stand-alone primer application and a dedicated oven required in the conventional process that was used before. Advanced chemical composition of 3-Wet paint materials allows for the three layers of paint - primer, base coat and clear coat - to be applied while each layer is still wet.

The 3-Wet technology process means Ford can maintain the top quality characteristics its customers demand, including long-term durability and chip and scratch resistance.

Locations where Ford is installing the 3-Wet process in 2013
> Flat Rock Assembly Plant, Flat Rock, Mich.
> Kansas City Assembly Plant, Claycomo, Mo.
> Jiangling Motors Co. Ltd., Jiangxi/Nanchang, China
> Valencia Assembly Plant, Valencia, Spain

North America:
> Ohio Assembly Plant, Avon Lake, Ohio
> Cuautitlan Assembly Plant, Cuautitlán, Mexico
> Michigan Assembly Plant, Wayne, Mich.
> Louisville Assembly Plant, Louisville, Ky.

Asia Pacific:
> Chennai Assembly, Tamil Nadu, India
> CAF 2, Chongqing, China
> Ford Thailand Manufacturing, Rayong, Thailand

Europe:
> Craiova Assembly Plant, Craiova, Romania

Posted in: 3-Wet Paint,Asia Pacific,Assembly/Manufacturing Plant,Bruce Hettle,Europe,Ford,International,North America,Paint,VOC,Volatile Organic Compound