Construction paints and coatings increase the resistance of the various surfaces and prevent them from rust and weathering. Construction paints and coatings find applications in commercial windows, building panels, curtain walls, and even in the aviation and automotive sector. According to a research firm Allied Market Research, the global construction paints and coatings market is driven by factors such as increase in activities in civil construction and high demand for efficient paints. Moreover, the rising practice of green buildings and products such as nano-coatings and green coatings are expected to create a new trend in the market.

It is now common knowledge that lead-based paint and coatings containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are not best for the environment. Today, coatings with minimum or no VOCs and unpleasant odors and that are eco-friendly are preferred.

Sustainability

Preventing the depletion of natural resources and maintenance of ecological balance has become the need of the hour. Customers look for eco-friendly alternatives and use those paints that are manufactured from recycled, natural or bio-based contents. Now, paint and coatings manufacturers are advertising about eco-friendly ingredients and are offering more information about their formulas to display their social responsibility.

Recently, Nippon Paint, the Japanese paint manufacturing company, launched a new premium interior paint named Infinite Air, which is derived from renewable resources. The paint is the first product in Asia-Pacific that is made with BASF biomass balance dispersions. This novel, low-odor interior paint provides outstanding sustainability performance and helps to reduce greenhouse gas emission. Tony Tsai, the Vice President of Trade Use Unit Decorative Coatings Division Marketing at Nippon Paint, stated, “We are excited to develop this environmentally friendly paint with our raw material partner BASF. We are the innovation pioneer in the paint industry in China and this gives a responsibility to produce high-quality paints in a sustainable manner.

The company cleared that it has replaced the fossil resources with renewable feedstock such as bio-naphtha or biogas obtained from biomass. It has assured the sustainability of renewable resources through various certification systems such as REDcert and International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC). With such sustainable methods, the Infinite Air paint could be produced on a large scale. Moreover, with every liter of this paint, we are able to conserve fossil resources and reduce the greenhouse gas emission.

Launch of Green Building Solution

Jotun, the fast-growing paint company, recently announced that it will launch a green building solution to offer an easier way to specify, design, beautify and protect buildings. The company also provides an online green building guide to streamline the specification process, which includes an overview of all green products, and specific guidelines with proper documentation.

According to the company, the Green Building Solutions offer a single global source for customers that look for a way to increased green building standards such as LEED and BREEAM. Moreover, it offers paints and coatings the basic building needs along with specification support for the planning and construction stage. The solution is perfect for a full range of building needs, including architectural powder coatings, decorative paints, intumescent coatings, anti-carbonation coatings for concrete, and floor coatings.

Henriette Eggen, the global marketing manager infrastructure at Jotun’s, stated, “Construction paints and coatings represent a very small percentage of a building’s cost. However, the impact they can achieve is outstanding. Our team has worked relentlessly to ensure that we provide the most effective types of EPDs for our global customers and this solution would ensure our customers get the most points value from their construction paints and coatings.”

Balance of Sustainability and Longevity

There is no doubt that a product should pass all the tests to check its impact on Mother Nature, but there is another concern that customers cannot avoid: longevity. Although construction paints and coatings should be eco-friendly, they must be durable and long-lasting, otherwise, it becomes nonsensical to apply them, as they became a financial burden.

Several paints and coatings contain zero VOCs, but fail to dry quickly and lead to blushing and blistering. However, in the future, the focus is expected to remain on developing products that are both sustainable and show longevity as compared to conventional coatings.