Successfully applies biomass paint to color-coated steel sheet
Cuts carbon emissions by more than 80%, with full commercialization slated for the second half of the year
Dongkuk Steel has developed the world's first solvent-free color-coated steel sheet, 'Luxteel Biomass Uniglass.'
Color-coated steel sheet paint is made up of resin, solvent, pigment and other components, with solvent accounting for about half. Solvent, a petroleum-based raw material, is used to adjust the viscosity of the paint, and during the manufacturing of color-coated steel sheet it is heated and dried, generating carbon dioxide and other emissions.
Dongkuk Steel became the world's first to successfully apply a biomass paint that contains no volatile solvent whatsoever to color-coated steel sheet. The core eco-friendly technology lies in creating a resin from biomass raw materials that requires no solvent.
By adding UV (ultraviolet) curing technology to its solvent-free color-coated steel sheet technology, Dongkuk Steel reduced carbon emissions by more than 80% compared with conventional color-coated steel sheet processes. The UV curing method is an eco-friendly manufacturing process introduced on 'S1CCL,' the color-coated steel sheet production line Dongkuk Steel newly built last year, and it replaces the LNG heating process.
Following productivity verification and product development discussions with major customers in March, Dongkuk Steel plans to pursue full-scale commercialization in the second half of the year.
Through research aimed at expanding its eco-friendly color-coated steel sheet products, Dongkuk Steel has secured cost competitiveness. In addition, it verified stability under impact and bending through physical property tests based on the product's applications, and achieved a mirror-like gloss through a special surface treatment method.
Luxteel BM Uniglass, which incorporates the new technology, can be used in home appliances such as TVs, refrigerators and washing machines, as well as in building materials such as elevators and walls. With eco-friendly interior demand rising recently, related demand is expected to continue.
In November last year, marking the 10th anniversary of the launch of 'Luxteel,' Korea's first premium color-coated steel sheet brand, Dongkuk Steel announced 'DK Color Vision 2030' at a press conference, and as part of its sustainable growth strategy it selected building an eco-friendly color-coated steel sheet production process and developing strategic products as key tasks. Luxteel BM Uniglass is an eco-friendly strategic product developed as one element of 'DK Color Vision 2030' announced last year.
Judging that eco-friendliness will be the key source of competitiveness in the color-coated steel sheet market going forward, Dongkuk Steel plans to focus on developing eco-friendly color-coated steel sheet through low-carbon process and product research.