It is well known that modern IR-reflecting inorganic complex pigments not only impart super-durable colour shades to a surface, but enable coatings formulators to create products showing less interaction with solar radiation compared to using normal pigments, and therefore showing lower heat build-up.
The most well-known application is found in the area of coil coatings for facades and roofs (key word: cool roofs). The aim is to lower heat transfer into buildings, and as a result reduce energy consumption of air conditioners to cool down the interiors. A positive side effect – an enhanced lifetime of the coating due to reduced thermomechanical impact – has been observed. There are several programs available that define criteria and approve products for cool roof applications. Of these, the Energy Star and Cool Roof Rating Council of the United States are the best-known programs. Further programs are Green Globes (Canada and United States), LEED (United States) and one from the Singapore Environment Council. In Europe a similar program called Cool Roofs Europe has been started, and first products have been approved.