NYSERDA and Partners Launch Center to Help Improve Energy Efficiency, Reduce Harmful Emissions, Cut Costs in Manufacturing Processes

Source: The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)

NYSERDA, the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) and RadTech International today announced the establishment of a new research, development and industrial testing center to help make manufacturing processes in New York State more energy efficient, environmentally friendly and economical.

NYSERDA will provide nearly $1 million in funding for the Ultraviolet Light (UV) and Electron Beam (EB) Process Curing Systems Technology Center in Syracuse, N.Y, which will leverage more than $1 million in SUNY and private capital from industrial partners.

The center will advance the development and adoption of formulas that produce little to no harmful emissions in the manufacture and application of inks, paints and coatings, as well as resin binders used in the fabrication of composite materials such as fiberglass composites used to make wind turbine blades. It will also serve as a center of expertise with equipment and analytical laboratory capabilities to help manufacturers independently test and verify how these advanced technologies will work on their products while saving energy.

Industrial partners include:

• Knowlton Technologies of Watertown, a manufacturer of engineered composites and wet-laid non-woven materials
• Transparent Materials of Rochester, a manufacturer of surface functionalized, self assembling nanomaterials for dental and biomedical composites
• IBA Industrial of Long Island, an electron beam equipment manufacturer
• And MAS Associates of Indian Lake, a manufacturer of data acquisition and automation systems.

Over the past several years, NYSERDA has partnered with RadTech International, the Association for UV & EB Technology, to promote UV and EB clean energy technologies to manufacturers in New York State.  The addition of the center at SUNY-ESF establishes Syracuse, N.Y., as a center of competence for this advanced clean energy technology.

“The selection of this center is the result of NYSERDA’s jointly sponsored work with RadTech International,” said Francis J. Murray, Jr., President and CEO of NYSERDA. “The Center offers assistance to help New York-based manufacturers adopt ultraviolet light and electron beam-curing technologies that can dramatically cut costs and waste, enable New York State manufacturers to remain competitive and reduce air emissions.”

Dr. Cornelius B. Murphy, Jr., SUNY-ESF President, said: “The center is an excellent opportunity for SUNY-ESF’s students, faculty and technical staff to work closely with New York State manufacturers on energy efficient curing and manufacturing processes.  The College will help develop and transfer the latest in energy-efficient ultraviolet light and electron beam technologies to the coating, adhesive and composite industries in New York State. These new technologies will help New York State-based companies be more competitive by reducing costs and marketing more environmentally friendly products.”

RadTech’s uv.eb East 2011 Conference, which will be held in Syracuse on Oct. 4-5 2011, will highlight the capabilities of the new center and will introduce and promote the technology to industries including metal, plastics, wood finishing, packaging and printing, medical devices and electronics applications.

“NYSERDA demonstrates tremendous leadership and vision in U.S. manufacturing through its support of UV and EB technologies,” says Howard Ragin, of DSM NeoResins and President of RadTech. “The establishment of the technology center and continued support of uv.eb EAST offers great potential to position the state as a global leader in this fast emerging technology.” uv.eb EAST 2011 will be the second biennial conference co-sponsored by RadTech and NYSERDA.

Ultraviolet and Electron Beam technologies represent a market worth more than $3 billion worldwide.  These technologies cause inks and paints to dry nearly instantly, thereby speeding industrial production.  Specially formulated inks and paints offer the capability to cause instant drying, protecting the environment by eliminating or significantly reducing harmful emissions. The elimination of climate-controlled drying chambers eliminates production bottlenecks and frees valuable space at a factory while reducing energy consumption.