Kerry Pianoforte, Editor04.12.19
Coatings World had the opportunity to interview Anthony D. Woods, AkzoNobel marketing director for wood coatings, John Griffin, AkzoNobel regional director for North America and John Gilbert, chief research and development officer at Behr Paint on the subject of low- and zero-VOC coatings.
CW: Over the last few years environmental regulations have created a demand for low- and zero-VOC products. How important is it for your company to offer these types of products?
Gilbert: We’ve seen environmentally friendly paint products on the market for many years. Over time, technological advancements in low-VOC paints have led to products that are both environmentally conscious and durable with high-performance characteristics. As environmentally friendly products are increasingly being sought, it’s important for us to provide professionals with low-VOC products and sustainable solutions that perform well and last.
Woods: VOC regulations have been a part of the paints and coatings industry for more than 30 years, and the requirements for continued reduction of VOC emissions will continue. It is critical for us to offer these types of products, so that our customers around the world can continue to operate and generate value for their businesses.
As a global coatings leader, we are always working on meeting our customers’ needs for sustainable coatings solutions that comply with VOC and all regulations. Many of our industrial customers have increasingly stringent VOC emission permits driven by the state and local authorities. In some instances, while existing facilities are grandfathered, any attempts to expand production often require a new VOC permit and, by extension, new low-VOC technology. We are seeing this particularly within the Building Products and Cabinet segments, where there is a clear move towards waterborne and waterborne-UV technologies, as customers are investing in new lines.
For example, in China, the VOC legislation for wood coatings is driving conversion from solvent-borne Nitrocellulose (NC) or PU technology to water-borne and UV technology. And in Europe, indoor air quality (IAQ) is driving concern over traditional acid-catalyzed products in the Nordics and UK. Additionally, focus on IAQ post-cure VOC emission requires a rethinking of the traditional routes to low-VOC technology, as often slower emission solvents can fail IAQ tests. Our customers depend on us developing and offering products that meet these legislative requirements.
CW: What specific low- and zero-VOC coatings products does your company offer?
Gilbert: Behr Paint offers a variety of low-VOC products built for performance and durability. Government regulation limits VOC levels for paint at 380 grams per liter (g/l) for most finishes (e.g., semi-gloss, eggshell, satin) and 250 g/l for flat finishes, but many localities have additional regulations that require VOC levels far below the federal limits. Behr and other paint manufacturers distribute products nationally that meet and are more stringent than these levels.
Our paints meet or exceed the most demanding VOC limits including BEHR MARQUEE Interior Paint and BEHR PREMIUM PLUS ULTRA Interior Paint, which both offer less than 50 g/l, and BEHR PREMIUM PLUS Interior Paint, which offers less than 5 g/l.
Professionals should also feel safe and secure when using these products by knowing that their paint is GREENGUARD Gold Certified, which offers stricter certification criteria, considers safety factors to account for sensitive individuals—such as children and the elderly—and ensures that a product is acceptable for use in environments such as schools and healthcare facilities.
Griffin: Our diverse solutions of low- and zero-VOC coatings cover all global product ranges, from decorative to aerospace, marine, automotive and wood coatings. There are 4 main areas where we see an opportunity for making large
VOC reductions:
1. By switching from solvent-based to water-based products
2. Increasing the solids content (high solids), thereby reducing the amount of VOC required per liter/gallon of liquid paint
3. Using Powder coatings in lieu of liquid paints, because Powder contains zero Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC).
4. Films that can be molded onto thermoset and thermoplastic plastic parts or cast onto metal sheets.
Here are examples of our low- and zero-VOC products:
• In Wood Care and Trim Paints, we offer various products across the globe. For example, in North America, our Chemcraft product line includes ProMatch® FlexGlaze and FlexGlaze Zero VOC, two truly sustainable glazes, and Chemcraft Aquaprime primer, a waterborne pigmented basecoat. In Europe, we offer our Sikkens WoodCoatings and Winflex building product ranges, which are totally waterborne, and our Futurecryl cabinet paint, a water-based coatings system. In China, our AquaSilkTM furniture paints are innovative, industry-leading, water-based coatings with superior hardness, clarity and scuff resistance.
• Within our automotive and vehicle refinishes segments, we offer low-VOC products across several lines. Our Sikkens Autocoat BT LV650 Clear is a two-component VOC-compliant clear coat specifically designed for original equipment manufacturers and repairs for fleet vehicles. Bodyshops looking for low VOC solutions can select from a range of products, including Sikkens Autowave waterborne basecoat, and for low-cost solutions, they can choose, among others, our Wanda Low VOC Clear product, an easy-to-use glossy clearcoat.
• For architectural extrusion applications, we have our low-VOC TRINAR ULTRA product, a liquid spray system of 2-coat solid colors.
• Grip-Gard 3.5 VOC White Washprimer Light Enhancing is a chrome free one-component self-etching primer for metal surfaces in the sign industry. It is suitable for most substrates, especially aluminum, steel and galvanized steel.
• Our Intertherm 228HS is a high-solids, low-VOC epoxy phenolic coating that provides excellent corrosion protection across a wide range of offshore and onshore industrial environments.
• Our AkzoNobel Bright Film simulates Chrome, Stainless Steel, and Brushed Nickel finishes eliminating high costs metals and the hazards of metal plating processes.
CW: When formulating zero- and low-VOC coatings what are some of the challenges? What types of additives need to be used to achieve zero- and low-VOC and at the same time meet performance requirements?
Gilbert: Most paint manufacturers and raw material suppliers have updated their technologies for use in low-VOC formulations. Today, low-VOC is not a challenge, but rather it is the norm. Meeting low-VOC targets is not just about additives. Most manufacturers have adjusted their latex resin technology to provide good film formation, and flow and leveling without the use of volatile organic compounds.
Griffin: The primary purpose of volatile organic compounds is to deliver the resins and pigments to the substrate so that the desired appearance and protective properties are achieved. So, reducing VOCs increases the difficulty of achieving a satisfactory finish. When converting from solvent to waterborne, surfactants, co-solvents and emulsifiers are often used to disperse the resin and help deliver an acceptably smooth film upon drying. Even so, other challenges present themselves. For example, in wood trim paints, the grain rise caused by waterborne often produces a more muted undertone. Even more so, application parameters and conditions have to be adjusted to suit waterborne finishes.
Also, one of the last frontiers is cost parity. Waterborne resins are often more expensive than traditional solventborne resins and application of waterbornes can be more difficult and time-consuming.
CW: In what application areas are low- and zero-VOC products most sought after? (residential, schools,
hospitals, etc.).
Gilbert: Low-VOC formulations are used in nearly all application areas of architectural coatings. Today, customers expect to paint a space and be able to use it shortly after.
Griffin: Increasingly, low- and zero-VOC products are asked for by many end-user groups and applications, but it really depends on local regulations.
CW: Recent product innovations include odor reducing coatings to address indoor air pollution. Where are you focusing your R&D efforts in terms of these types
of technologies?
Gilbert: While Behr has not yet commercialized coatings specific to this topic, we continue to investigate multiple technologies aimed at actively reducing odor in an
indoor environment.
Griffin: In our decorative business in China, we offer Dulux Forest Breath Bio Care, an interior emulsion with air-purifying technology that enhances air quality, captures and purifies harmful air pollutants in the home and keeps indoor air healthy and fresh. It uses renewable natural ingredients, such as corn and cassava. It replaces petroleum-derived materials. Its non-additive formulation and anti-formaldehyde technology address consumer concerns of a safe living environment.
CW: Over the last few years environmental regulations have created a demand for low- and zero-VOC products. How important is it for your company to offer these types of products?
Gilbert: We’ve seen environmentally friendly paint products on the market for many years. Over time, technological advancements in low-VOC paints have led to products that are both environmentally conscious and durable with high-performance characteristics. As environmentally friendly products are increasingly being sought, it’s important for us to provide professionals with low-VOC products and sustainable solutions that perform well and last.
Woods: VOC regulations have been a part of the paints and coatings industry for more than 30 years, and the requirements for continued reduction of VOC emissions will continue. It is critical for us to offer these types of products, so that our customers around the world can continue to operate and generate value for their businesses.
As a global coatings leader, we are always working on meeting our customers’ needs for sustainable coatings solutions that comply with VOC and all regulations. Many of our industrial customers have increasingly stringent VOC emission permits driven by the state and local authorities. In some instances, while existing facilities are grandfathered, any attempts to expand production often require a new VOC permit and, by extension, new low-VOC technology. We are seeing this particularly within the Building Products and Cabinet segments, where there is a clear move towards waterborne and waterborne-UV technologies, as customers are investing in new lines.
For example, in China, the VOC legislation for wood coatings is driving conversion from solvent-borne Nitrocellulose (NC) or PU technology to water-borne and UV technology. And in Europe, indoor air quality (IAQ) is driving concern over traditional acid-catalyzed products in the Nordics and UK. Additionally, focus on IAQ post-cure VOC emission requires a rethinking of the traditional routes to low-VOC technology, as often slower emission solvents can fail IAQ tests. Our customers depend on us developing and offering products that meet these legislative requirements.
CW: What specific low- and zero-VOC coatings products does your company offer?
Gilbert: Behr Paint offers a variety of low-VOC products built for performance and durability. Government regulation limits VOC levels for paint at 380 grams per liter (g/l) for most finishes (e.g., semi-gloss, eggshell, satin) and 250 g/l for flat finishes, but many localities have additional regulations that require VOC levels far below the federal limits. Behr and other paint manufacturers distribute products nationally that meet and are more stringent than these levels.
Our paints meet or exceed the most demanding VOC limits including BEHR MARQUEE Interior Paint and BEHR PREMIUM PLUS ULTRA Interior Paint, which both offer less than 50 g/l, and BEHR PREMIUM PLUS Interior Paint, which offers less than 5 g/l.
Professionals should also feel safe and secure when using these products by knowing that their paint is GREENGUARD Gold Certified, which offers stricter certification criteria, considers safety factors to account for sensitive individuals—such as children and the elderly—and ensures that a product is acceptable for use in environments such as schools and healthcare facilities.
Griffin: Our diverse solutions of low- and zero-VOC coatings cover all global product ranges, from decorative to aerospace, marine, automotive and wood coatings. There are 4 main areas where we see an opportunity for making large
VOC reductions:
1. By switching from solvent-based to water-based products
2. Increasing the solids content (high solids), thereby reducing the amount of VOC required per liter/gallon of liquid paint
3. Using Powder coatings in lieu of liquid paints, because Powder contains zero Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC).
4. Films that can be molded onto thermoset and thermoplastic plastic parts or cast onto metal sheets.
Here are examples of our low- and zero-VOC products:
• In Wood Care and Trim Paints, we offer various products across the globe. For example, in North America, our Chemcraft product line includes ProMatch® FlexGlaze and FlexGlaze Zero VOC, two truly sustainable glazes, and Chemcraft Aquaprime primer, a waterborne pigmented basecoat. In Europe, we offer our Sikkens WoodCoatings and Winflex building product ranges, which are totally waterborne, and our Futurecryl cabinet paint, a water-based coatings system. In China, our AquaSilkTM furniture paints are innovative, industry-leading, water-based coatings with superior hardness, clarity and scuff resistance.
• Within our automotive and vehicle refinishes segments, we offer low-VOC products across several lines. Our Sikkens Autocoat BT LV650 Clear is a two-component VOC-compliant clear coat specifically designed for original equipment manufacturers and repairs for fleet vehicles. Bodyshops looking for low VOC solutions can select from a range of products, including Sikkens Autowave waterborne basecoat, and for low-cost solutions, they can choose, among others, our Wanda Low VOC Clear product, an easy-to-use glossy clearcoat.
• For architectural extrusion applications, we have our low-VOC TRINAR ULTRA product, a liquid spray system of 2-coat solid colors.
• Grip-Gard 3.5 VOC White Washprimer Light Enhancing is a chrome free one-component self-etching primer for metal surfaces in the sign industry. It is suitable for most substrates, especially aluminum, steel and galvanized steel.
• Our Intertherm 228HS is a high-solids, low-VOC epoxy phenolic coating that provides excellent corrosion protection across a wide range of offshore and onshore industrial environments.
• Our AkzoNobel Bright Film simulates Chrome, Stainless Steel, and Brushed Nickel finishes eliminating high costs metals and the hazards of metal plating processes.
CW: When formulating zero- and low-VOC coatings what are some of the challenges? What types of additives need to be used to achieve zero- and low-VOC and at the same time meet performance requirements?
Gilbert: Most paint manufacturers and raw material suppliers have updated their technologies for use in low-VOC formulations. Today, low-VOC is not a challenge, but rather it is the norm. Meeting low-VOC targets is not just about additives. Most manufacturers have adjusted their latex resin technology to provide good film formation, and flow and leveling without the use of volatile organic compounds.
Griffin: The primary purpose of volatile organic compounds is to deliver the resins and pigments to the substrate so that the desired appearance and protective properties are achieved. So, reducing VOCs increases the difficulty of achieving a satisfactory finish. When converting from solvent to waterborne, surfactants, co-solvents and emulsifiers are often used to disperse the resin and help deliver an acceptably smooth film upon drying. Even so, other challenges present themselves. For example, in wood trim paints, the grain rise caused by waterborne often produces a more muted undertone. Even more so, application parameters and conditions have to be adjusted to suit waterborne finishes.
Also, one of the last frontiers is cost parity. Waterborne resins are often more expensive than traditional solventborne resins and application of waterbornes can be more difficult and time-consuming.
CW: In what application areas are low- and zero-VOC products most sought after? (residential, schools,
hospitals, etc.).
Gilbert: Low-VOC formulations are used in nearly all application areas of architectural coatings. Today, customers expect to paint a space and be able to use it shortly after.
Griffin: Increasingly, low- and zero-VOC products are asked for by many end-user groups and applications, but it really depends on local regulations.
CW: Recent product innovations include odor reducing coatings to address indoor air pollution. Where are you focusing your R&D efforts in terms of these types
of technologies?
Gilbert: While Behr has not yet commercialized coatings specific to this topic, we continue to investigate multiple technologies aimed at actively reducing odor in an
indoor environment.
Griffin: In our decorative business in China, we offer Dulux Forest Breath Bio Care, an interior emulsion with air-purifying technology that enhances air quality, captures and purifies harmful air pollutants in the home and keeps indoor air healthy and fresh. It uses renewable natural ingredients, such as corn and cassava. It replaces petroleum-derived materials. Its non-additive formulation and anti-formaldehyde technology address consumer concerns of a safe living environment.
