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Air pollution is one of the main ways in which an automotive plant impacts on the environment through the emission of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). These are vapors from the solvents used to dilute paint, which evaporate in the air during drying. In particular, VOCs lead to the formation of low-level ozone.

VOCs are emitted throughout the painting process, in the application booths and the baking ovens.

In the past few years, VOC emissions have been reduced by using the best available technology, particularly water-based paints. 

Example: Douai plant

The breakdown of VOC emissions at the Douai plant prior to modification (Year of Reference:1997)

In 1999, Renault's Douai plant started using water-based paints for its vehicles.

Even before building of the new paint shop using water-based technology, Renault Douai sought to significantly reduce VOC emissions by upgrading existing facilities: steam incinerators on baking ovens, improved efficiency of painting machines, use of paints with higher solid content, optimized consumption of cleaning solvents, etc. French environmental legislation required VOC emissions from the Douai plant to be reduced to around 6 kg per vehicle from 2001.

The decision to use water-based paints was a technological milestone for Renault, which wanted to go even further in reducing atmospheric pollution. By using water-based paints, Renault Douai was able to cut VOC emissions to less than 4 kg/vehicle in 1999, the first full year of operation of the new facilities.

VOC emissions at the Georges Besse plant

 

The new facilities, which went into operation in January 1999, were completed in two years. This was a technological feat given that production continued in the old facilities while the new workshop was being built and commissioned. Around €23 million was invested in the switch to water-based technology.

Now more than 75% of Renault sites are equipped with the latest clean technology. All sites worldwide monitor their VOC emissions using the same exhaustive accounting system for both point and diffuse emissions.

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