Date: April 5, 2006

Just about everyone these days has a "green” product in the coatings industry. There is Eco this or Enviro that. Manufacturers splash exotic colors all over their slick brochures with lush green leafs and tranquil waterfalls cascading in the background. They inform us how their coatings are environmentally friendly and will help protect our fragile ecosystems. But are these coatings really environmental at all? Not really.

VOC Debate

Many environmental organizations such as the U.S. ERA, South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and Green Seal have established a number of well intentioned but erroneous standards regarding Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Generally speaking, VOC levels for interior latex paints are 150 grams per liter for non-flat paints and 50 grams per liter for flat paints. Exterior paints are typically 200 grams per liter for non-flat and 100 grams per liter for flat paints. But what does this all mean? Absolutely nothing. Why? Because the VOCs are only calculated on the base polymer not the colorant system and base polymer combined. Universal colorants can have more than 240 grams per liter of VOCs because of high glycol levels. If a painting contractor is coating a surface with an accent color such as yellow then to get decent hide 3-5 coats are often required. If you combine the VOCs from the base polymer with the universal colorant system then between 12-2,000 grams/liter of toxic VOCs are being sprayed into the atmosphere. This isn't very environmental at all.

VOCs can cause headaches, allergic reactions, and health problems in humans if inhaled and contribute to the formation of troposphere ozone, smog and global warming.

There is a zero VOC colorant system called Intrinsic Colors which was developed by BaySystems North America (BSNA). The BSNA colorant system does not incorporate additional solvents, surfactants or glycols.

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency should be considered criteria for "green" coatings. Energy efficient coatings utilize sophisticated heat-blocking pigments that refract the sun's visible, infrared and UV radiation away from the substrate thereby reducing radiant heat transfer within a property. If a property can remain cool then there is a lower demand for cooling systems which in turn decreases the demand on utility companies to burn polluting fossil fuels to run generators. It is the burning of these fossil fuels that contributes to smog and Ozone depletion. Typical retail brought paints, which are specified on most exterior walls, are not heat-reflective or energy-efficient. They can contain high levels of VOCs, are not durable and do nothing to help protect the environment.

Performance & Physical Properties

Performance should be an important feature of an environmental coating. A long-lasting coating means less paint cycles which means fewer polluting VOCs are being sprayed into the atmosphere. The physical performance of latex paints depends on a number of variables such as quality of pigments, film build, polymer and sheen. Highly reflective Mixed Metal Oxide (MMO) pigments reduce surface temperature which extends the life of a coating. High film build coatings last longer then low film build simply because of greater thickness and more polymer is being applied to a surface then water. One-hundred-percent acrylics last longer then styrene and PVA acrylics. High sheen coatings last longer then flat sheen coatings because they contain fewer fillers and extender pigments. The fillers in flat coatings are water sensitive which reduces the coatings' life expectancy.

Retail latex paints typically last 3-7 years between repaint cycles. Some high performing elastomerics and thermoplastics which utilize heat reflective technology can last more than 25-years between recoats. The longer a coating lasts, the better it is for the environment and this is the reason why it should be considered criteria for a green coating specification.

Recycling

Recycled paint has been a "green" practice for a period of time in the USA. There are two types of recycled paint: consolidated and general. Consolidated paint is typically house hold paint that has been stored in the garage for a period of time. When it goes to a hazardous waste facility, it can either be taken out and dried, which also releases VOCs into the atmosphere, or it can be reused or re-blended by a paint manufacturer. A re-blended paint is often filtered and has new additives put into it. Hazardous waste facilities prefer re-blending paint because disposing of it is time-consuming and expensive.

Re-using paint containers is a good environmental practice. It is estimated that 95% of all paint cans in the US wind up clogging and polluting landfills. Many paint cans are manufactured from polyethylene which can be recycled into garbage bags, plastic soda bottles or shopping bags. A more practical approach would be to simply clean the container and use it again.

Manufacturing

Manufacturers can contribute to "green" standards by following these guidelines:

• Reuse or recycle wash-water. Use some of the wash water in new coating batches.
• Recycle unused and returned paint
• Only use recyclable paint containers like polyethylene
• Recycle corrugated boxes
• Research new ingrediants for paint that can be sustainable and renewable

Definition of a Green Coating system

Defining a "green "coating within the USA is like pulling a rabbit out of a magic hat. Anyone can conjure up their own set of standards. "Greert1 coating standards must include a more comprehensive look at VOCs, energy-efficiency, long-term performance, physical properties and recycling latex polymers and containers.