Application of advanced wood coating materials and techniques to meet the requirements of the EU VOC-directive
The Problem
One of the real problems facing European furniture companies which must be resolved by 2010 is the problem of how to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (‘VOC’) in the air so as to satisfy the requirements of the VOC Solvents Directive and, at the same time, to preserve the level of their competitiveness.
In the last few years companies have put in a lot of effort and money to fulfil the requirements of the VOC Solvents Directive. But it is becoming ever clearer that many furniture makers (especially the producers of high quality solid wood chairs) still have no useful solutions to drastically reduce their VOC emissions (in some cases by up to 65%) in order to comply with the new standard.
The Aims
The main barriers found in companies to successful implementation were the lack of expert human resources, information and financial means. Therefore, the project aims to reduce these barriers by giving direct support in research, information and knowledge along with the integration of technical, economical and ecological aspects.
Our idea is to research in detail the existing situation in furniture companies regarding VOC emissions and possibilities for developing and/or implementing real solutions. At the same time, we will develop a pack containing expert advice to give concrete support to companies in their implementation efforts on the basis of a target analysis of possible solutions, guidelines and measures for successfully adapting to the VOC Solvent Directive.
The target group
The main target group are the Furniture producers, especially those who producing high quality chairs from massive wood, who have to change the whole coating technology to use of waterborne products.
Outcomes
The overall innovation target of the project is to giving expert support to companies with aim to solve theirs specific problems about adjustment to the VOC Solvent Directive requirements.
Through this project we plan to expert advise and support the related companies on theirs implementation efforts, on the basis of target analysis of possible solutions, guidelines and measures for successfully adaptation to VOC Solvent Directive.
Duration and Budget
From 15th October 2008 to 15th October 2010.
Project Budget: 413.400 EUR. CORNET Co-funding: 284.975 EUR (69%)
Partners
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CCIS - Wood Processing and Furniture Association, Slovenia (CCIS - WPFA)
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University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical faculty - Department of Wood Science and Technology, Slovenia (BF-DWST)
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Wood Industry Cluster, Slovenia (WIC)
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Cyprus Union of Furniture Makers and Carpenters, Cyprus (EN.E.XYL.K)
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Timber Training and Research Centre, Cyprus (TTR-C)
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Center for Research and Technology-Thessaly / Institute of Technology and Management of Agricultural Ecosystems, Greece (CE.RE.TE.TH./I.TE.M.A.)
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Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft für Oberflächenbehandlung, Germany (DFO)
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Institute for Wood Technology in Dresden, Germany (IHD)
Contact
Project Execution Coordinator:
Bernard Likar, Wood Industry Cluster, Slovenia
Mail: grozd@sloles.com
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CORNET je financiran s strani Evropske komisije, Generalni direktorat za raziskave
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