Environmental destroyer

BAE Systems has introduced two innovative schemes on the Type 45 destroyer programme, which have had a positive impact on the environment, saved tens of thousands of pounds and won the company an environmental best practice award!

The first of these processes has been the adoption of a powder coating process for component parts of each ship to replace traditional solvent based paint and significantly reduce the amount of solvents emitted into the atmosphere.

The company has also changed the specification of other paint required on the ships from solvent-based paint to water and epoxy based paints. This has led to far greater levels of recycling as the paint tins are no longer classed as special waste and are now disposed of as scrap metal.

These changes have resulted in a reduction of 12,600 litres of paint across the Type 45 programme – enough to fill 5,040 large household tins or cover 126,000 square metres -  the equivalent of 12 football pitches!

Landfill has also been cut by 326 tonnes per year as paint tins are no longer classed as special waste and can now be recycled. And there has been a reduction of 10 tonnes of volatile organic compound emissions per year.

As a result of these changes, BAE Systems Surface Fleet Solutions on the Clyde has been ranked amongst the green and the good of the UK business community, winning a Business Commitment to the Environment UK Best Practice Award.

BAE Systems expects to introduce the new paint processes to other programmes, which will create further environmental benefits.

The bow of Diamond, the third Type 45 is moved into position for attachment to the rest of the hull.