Toyota, with supplier Nihon Parkerizing, has developed a car surface preparation agent, used for priming vehicle bodies before they are painted, that produces far fewer toxic substances and other waste than current agents.
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Kyodo News said Toyota began using the new agent earlier this month in manufacturing subcompact cars including the Corolla and claims that it has the potential to become a chemical of choice for both domestic and foreign carmakers.
Most surface preparation agents are based on zinc phosphate and produce such toxic by-products as phosphorous and nickel.
Toyota and Nihon Parkerizing, a specialised company in this field, have developed a new agent whose key ingredient is oxidised zirconium and which does not contain phosphorous, nickel or manganese so it does not produce any sludge after use.
The new agent helps paint evenly spread over a vehicle body, Toyota officials told Kyodo News. Although its price is somewhat higher than those of existing products, the extra expense can be offset by the reduced cost of toxic waste disposal, they added.
