Dunn-Edwards Corp. announced a collaboration with Celanese Corp. to incorporate carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technology into architectural paint formulations, marking a first for the U.S. coatings market.

Celanese uses CCU technology at its Clear Lake, Texas, facility to convert industrial CO₂ emissions into a key chemical component of vinyl acetate-based emulsions. These emulsions are integral to paint production and are now part of a resin technology that helps reduce the carbon footprint of architectural coatings. Through mass-balance accounting, CCU and fossil-based feedstocks are accurately tracked, despite being commingled in the production process.

Paints using this technology are projected to utilize more than 2 million pounds of captured CO₂ annually—an environmental benefit comparable to the yearly carbon absorption of over 800 acres of forest, according to the U.S. EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator.

“Carbon capture and utilization can improve the sustainability of a range of essential chemistries by reducing the carbon footprint of the binder and creating circular options for waste CO₂,” said Kevin Norfleet, global sustainability director at Celanese. “Working with Dunn-Edwards to launch CCU in architectural coatings brings an improved choice for U.S. consumers.”

Tim Bosveld, vice president of product management at Dunn-Edwards, added, “Now more than ever, we’re committed to providing professionals and consumers with products that excel in both performance and sustainability. We’re honored to be the first architectural coatings manufacturer in the U.S. to implement Celanese’s innovations.”

The initiative aligns with Dunn-Edwards’ greener by design® commitment to reduce environmental impacts while maintaining product performance.