R&D centre opens its doors wide to innovation

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1997
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 107 KB
• Volume: 1997
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1350-4789
• DOI: 10.1016/s1350-4789(97)83251-5

✦ Synopsis

Federal-Mogul's Frankfort facility manufactures automotive, heavy duty and industrial oil and grease seals, along with Unipistons and rubber polymers. The Frankfort team worked to develop a water-based adhesive for use in the plant's surface coating operation, converting from two solvent-based adhesives. As a result of switching to this new material, Federal-Mogul reduced VOC and HAP emissions by more than 200 tons.

The adoption of this new adhesive involved significant research and development work at the Frankfort plant and Federal-Mogul's research and development centre in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The goal was to use a water-based adhesive yet maintain high quality levels. Prior to this project, the use of water-based adhesives in this type of production process had not been successful. Working in partnership with material suppliers, the water-based adhesive was developed that satisfied customers and provided a safer environment for employees and the community.

The award winners were selected by a review committee consisting of industry, government, academia and environmental representatives.