Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Which has a lower environmental impact, Powder Coating or E-coating?

Im currently evaluating the environmental impact of both powder coating and e-coating throughout the part's entire life cycle. I have found an environmentally friendly stripper for EOL coating removal before sending the aluminum substrate to the recycler.

I am mostly interested in hearing from you guys the various environmental advantages/disadvantages (coating loss, VOC content, recyclability of waste material) of each in the coating process.

I was definitely beginning to lean toward powder coat as the best option until I started considering the powder waste due to transfer efficiency and the lack of recycling avenues for that powder waste.

Any insight or information would be greatly appreciated!

Patrick Emerick
product designer - Southington, Connecticut
October 22, 2009

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Hi, Patrick.

Are you certain that both will last the life of the assembly? If one coating doesn't work, and the substrates pit and fail, that's pretty environmentally unfriendly. If they both work, the e-coating is much thinner, so I guess there's less material useage.

Both seem quite environmentally friendly, and I don't know how you decide how a small amount of water pollution from E-coating should balance against a small amount of air and solid waste pollution from powder coating. In a perfect world, nothing would be subsidized and nothing, including landfilling or discharging an air or water pollutant would be free, and then it would be easy: the most economical coating would be the most environmentally friendly one.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
October 22, 2009