MOUNT OLIVE, NJ - BASF announced the introduction of the "Larolux" curing system for ultraviolet (UV)-cure coatings, which the company said employs low-energy UV light in a carbon-dioxide atmosphere to rapidly cure coatings applied to three-dimensional metal, plastic or wood objects.

The company said the system uses coatings cured in an oven in the presence of a carbon-dioxide atmosphere. When the oxygen content in the gas surrounding the parts is low, the UV-light dose can be reduced and reflectors can illuminate three-dimensional objects. Under these conditions, complete cure is achieved independent of the parts' geometry, the company said. The coatings are formulated using curing agents developed by BASF.

Werner Peter, Business director for BASF's Performance Chemicals business in North America, said the system can cut curing times for coated three-dimensional parts while reducing VOCs and energy costs. He said the technology also can reduce or eliminate "heat-effect" and coatings-viscosity problems encountered in UV-cure processes.

BASF said the low-energy UV-lamp cure system was developed in collaboration with Ultra Violet Systems, a division of UV Technology Ltd., Houston. Allied PhotoChemical Inc., Kimball, MI., a coatings formulator, is working with BASF to develop coatings systems specifically designed for the Larolux process. More information about the technology is available on the website located at www.basf.com/coatingsrawmaterials.