NATIONAL REPORT—Arkema, AkzoNobel and Omya have collaborated to develop a range of low-carbon options for more sustainable decorative paints with a 30 percent or more reduced carbon footprint for mass market adoption while maintaining performance equivalent to existing products. This project aims to expand experiments and achieve up to 50 percent carbon reduction of decorative paints.
“As the industry actively works on decarbonizing its value chain, we wanted to collectively accelerate the development of next generation paints, to meet increasing industry and consumer demand, Green Deal regulations and green building certifications. Our efforts have been driven by the common objective to make lower carbon footprint solutions the mainstream,” says Julie Haevermans, Chief Marketing Officer, Arkema Coating Solutions.
The new formulation leverages innovation from these three global coating industry leaders to incorporate raw materials with up to 40 percent circular sources. Specific contributions include:
- Arkema bio-based and bio-attributed binders and additives;
- Omya CaCO3-minerals for opacity boosting and recycled content contribution; and
- AkzoNobel’s advanced formulation expertise, leading to optimization and reduction of high-carbon materials such as TiO2.
Additionally, the three companies leveraged modern, high throughput lab automation processes, including advanced AI-tools, to accelerate development.
“Thanks to advanced lab automation and AI-driven experimental design, commercially relevant paint formulations with considerably reduced carbon footprint were achieved within a short time—with clear indications that even further reductions are possible going forward. Key to success is the willingness of companies along the value chain to work together in an open and collaborative way,” says Philipp Mueller, Vice President Construction at Omya.
“This work demonstrates the potential to develop lower carbon footprint paints whilst maintaining performance in brightness, yellowing resistance, and wet scrub resistance. These advances are another step in paving the way for widespread adoption and external recognition, which will help shape the future of lower carbon footprint paints and coatings,” says David Williams, Chief Innovation Officer at AkzoNobel.
