Dongkuk Steel, World's First Eco-Friendly Solvent-Free Color Steel Sheet Developed

"80% Carbon Emission Reduction... Full-Scale Commercialization to be Promoted in the Second Half"

Eco-friendly color steel sheet 'Luxteel BM Uniglass' product by Dongkuk Steel. (Photo by Dongkuk Steel)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Dongkuk Steel announced on the 7th that it has developed the world's first solvent-free color steel sheet, 'Luxsteel BM Uniglass.' It is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions generated during the manufacturing process of solvents, which account for about half of the raw materials used in color steel sheet coatings. Furthermore, by adding ultraviolet (UV) curing technology, carbon emissions could be reduced by approximately 80% compared to existing processes.

Dongkuk Steel revealed that it succeeded in applying technology to produce biomass-based coatings without using volatile solvents to the manufacturing of color steel sheets. Using biomass to make color steel sheets eliminates the need for solvents. The company stated that by applying UV curing technology, carbon emissions were reduced by more than 80% compared to conventional color steel sheet methods. The UV curing method is an eco-friendly manufacturing process introduced in Dongkuk Steel's newly established color steel sheet production line 'S1CCL' last year, replacing the liquefied natural gas (LNG) heating process. The company plans to actively promote the commercialization of eco-friendly color steel sheets starting in the second half of the year. To this end, it will undergo productivity verification and product development consultations with major customers this month.

Dongkuk Steel emphasized that it secured cost competitiveness through research to expand eco-friendly color steel sheet products. Additionally, it conducted physical property tests according to product applications to verify product stability against impact and achieved mirror-like clarity through a special surface treatment method.

The Luxsteel BM Uniglass, which incorporates new technology, can be used in home appliances such as TVs, refrigerators, and washing machines, as well as in building materials like elevators and walls. The company anticipates continuous growth in product demand due to increasing eco-friendly interior needs. In November last year, Dongkuk Steel held a press conference to mark the 10th anniversary of the launch of Korea's first premium color steel sheet brand 'Luxsteel' and announced the 'DK Color Vision 2030.' As part of the 'Sustainable Growth' strategy in Vision 2030, establishing eco-friendly color steel sheet production processes and developing strategic products were selected as key tasks. Luxsteel BM Uniglass is an eco-friendly strategic product developed as part of Vision 2030. A Dongkuk Steel official stated, "We believe that eco-friendliness will emerge as a key keyword in the future color steel sheet market," adding, "We plan to focus on developing eco-friendly color steel sheets through low-carbon processes and product research."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.