Paint Atomization Technology Accelerates Sustainability

ABB’s (Cary, N.C.) RB1000i-S high-transfer efficiency paint atomizers have been installed at Mazda’s Ujina plant in Japan as the automotive manufacturer accelerates efforts to achieve carbon neutrality in its global production facilities by 2035.

The digitally enabled atomizer reduces paint usage by increasing the paint transfer to the vehicle body through overspray. Together with reductions in compressed air consumption and paint wastage during color changes, the ABB atomizers will reduce emissions in the paint process and in related paint booth equipment. 

Mazda reported a 17% reduction in paint usage due to the improved transfer efficiency of the RB1000i-S, equivalent to a saving of about 30,000 L of paint annually. Energy consumption and maintenance frequency, such as replacing the protective masking that prevents overspray from affecting the equipment, have also decreased.

The company achieved additional cost reductions during the integration by deploying the RB1000i-S atomizers on existing robots, supporting carbon neutral operations as well as the circular economy.