Case 2: Improving Air Quality and Workplace Safety
The company: Fook Tin Technologies
Ltd specialises in the design, manufacturing, marketing and distribution
of quality electronic products. The company's production facilities are
located in Shenzhen China.
The problem:
In 2002, Fook Tin noticed an increasing demand
for products with spray-painted top covers and weighing sensor housing.
However, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released during spray painting
can cause severe air pollution and pose a risk to health.
Their solution: To reduce the emission of VOCs from
paints. By doing this they would also be complying with Guangdong Environmental
Standards (DB44/27-2001). Fook Tin undertook its own air pollution reduction
programme by automating the spray painting process and developing a designated
paint spraying room with a water curtain.
Fook Tin invested around HK$950,000 to design and install the new facilities.
The key features of the programme were:
- Air scrubbers to collect mist from spray painting
- Automation of spraying and drying by using sensors
to control paint usage
- Installation of a VOC removal system
The figure below shows the VOC removal process
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Benefits: By implementing the air pollution reduction programme, Fook Tin was able to reduce its impact on air quality, enhance productivity, remove potential health hazards for workers, improve product quality, and also meet the Guangdong authorities' air emission target. Fook Tin was also able to achieve a handsome annual saving. The repayment period for the investment is about 4 years.
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| Workers lining up units to be sprayed |
 The VOC removal system on the roof of the factory |
Acknowledge The Hongkong
and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited for providing the case study.
© Copyright The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
2005 - 2006