Executive Order 13329 directs EPA to properly and effectively assists the private sector in its manufacturing innovation in order to sustain a strong manufacturing sector in the US economy by advancing innovation. Manufacturing-related R&D encompasses improvements in existing methods or processes, or wholly new processes, machines or systems. Manufacturing innovation is fostered by technology R&D aimed at increasing the competitive capability of manufacturing concerns. Four main areas include: (1) Unit process level technologies that create or improve manufacturing processes; (2) Machine level technologies that create or improve manufacturing equipment; (3) Systems level technologies for innovation in the manufacturing enterprise; and (4) Environment or societal level technologies that improve workforce abilities and manufacturing competitiveness. Specific areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Manufacturing process changes that utilize green technology to improve process efficiency and reduce pollution. These technologies (e.g., non-traditional material reactors, multi phase extraction, separation or fluid transfer, novel spraying systems, etc.) improve production efficiency and performance while eliminating or minimizing harmful emissions or waste materials.
• New filtration membranes for organic solvent recovery and similar applications. Also, development of technology for solvent free production of chemical products and new or improved catalyst products.

EPA is working with automobile suppliers and sub-tier suppliers to develop new technologies that will drive environmental improvements, while meeting pricing demands. The Automobile Partnership is one partnership under an umbrella network called the Green Suppliers Network (GSN). Also under GSN, several similar partnerships are forming. These include partnerships with pharmaceuticals, aerospace, office furniture manufacturing, healthcare products and other industries. EPA is interested in new technologies that simultaneously enhance environmental performance and cost-competitiveness. Such technologies include, but are not limited to:

• Prevention or reuse of paint sludges from captured overspray in automobile painting and use of low volatile organic compounds (VOC) products for purging paint lines and painting guns;
• Machining metals without use of toxic cutting fluids;
• Products that meet design specifications without requiring the use of chemicals such as mercury, cadmium, lead and hexavalent chromium.

Companies seeking assistance with project development in this topic area are encouraged to contact their local National Institutes of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership office at http://www.mep.nist.gov.