A file picture on paint drying at a Hyundai Motor plant.[Courtesy of Hyundai Motor ]
SEOUL -- South Korea's Hyundai auto group has succeeded in developing innovative automobile paints that lowered the drying temperature by more than 30 degrees in collaboration with KCC, a leading domestic provider of construction materials and paints. By lowering the temperature of the hot air used in automobile painting, the amount of electricity and carbon can be reduced.
The painting process requires a lot of electricity to dry the body with hot air above 160 degrees Celsius. Hyundai Motor and KCC have developed a technology that lowers the drying temperature to 130 degrees. Ultimately, they aim to lower the temperature below 100 degrees in all painting processes.
The newly developed paint can reduce the drying time. "It is evaluated as a technology that innovatively lowered the temperature of paint drying," an unnamed Hyundai Motor Group official told Aju Business Daily. "We will create the paint that can be dried even at lower temperatures through continuous technology development and cooperation with related companies."
It is not known when an official announcement will be made, but the new technology is certain to have a positive impact on car exports to Europe, which has tightened regulations on carbon emissions.
reporter
Lim Chang-won
cwlim34@ajunews.com
