Kerry Pianoforte, Editor04.15.20
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals released into the air from numerous types of materials, both naturally occurring and man-made, fluid-applied like paint as well as finished products like flooring and furniture. According to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), short-term exposure to VOCs can cause reactions like eye, nose and throat irritation while long-term exposure can be linked to a wide range of health problems.
Typically, higher concentrations of VOCs are found indoors, so the USGBC recommends specifying low-emitting or non-emitting products – including coatings, to significantly reduce the quantity.
USGBC’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating systems has become the standard for green building initiatives in the U.S. Companies that wish to receive LEED certification on their construction products rely on low and zero VOC coatings in order to comply.
LEED and global environmental regulations have created a demand for low and zero VOC products. In the past low and zero VOC products had performance issues. Recently paint manufacturers have launched a host of low and zero VOC products to meet both DIY and professional demand.
“Sustainability is a core focus for not only PPG but our customers and partners,” said Anthony Miller, associate marketing manager, PPG paint brand. “Sustainable products, such as those that are low VOC, will continue to be a priority in the paints and coatings industry for both professional and do-it-yourself (DIY) painters alike.”
While liquid coatings must be formulated to remove VOCs, powder coatings contain no VOCs. “AkzoNobel is passionate about developing and delivering sustainable solutions to all our customers worldwide,” said Daniela Vlad, AkzoNobel business unit director, Powder Coatings. “Environmentally-friendly coatings are at the heart of our work, ensuring that we offer greener solutions in line with environmental regulations. AkzoNobel is a global leader in the powder coatings market. Our Interpon powder coatings are solvent-free; they are primarily applied to metal and similar conductive surfaces, and they contain no volatile organic compounds (VOC) at all.”
PPG PAINTS PURE PERFORMANCE paint, sold at PPG Paints stores and independent retailers nationwide, is formulated to provide excellent hiding and ease of application in addition to low odor, zero VOCs* (*Colorants added to base paint may increase VOC levels significantly depending on color choice), and anti-microbial properties resulting from the incorporation of an ingredient which inhibits the growth of mold, mildew and algae on the dry paint film. Pure Performance paint is ideal for use in occupied areas such as hotel/motel resort properties, nursing homes, homes, schools, government facilities, retail space, office buildings, hospitals and apartments. Additionally, Pure Performance is GreenGuard Gold Certified and meets the emissions and materials disclosure criteria for LEED v4.
“In addition, PPG manufactures a new SEIGNEURIE Phylopur interior wall paint, available in Europe and Africa, which uses a 97 percent bio-based resin produced from plants and industrial by-products,” said Miller. “The renewable raw materials, which are cultivated according to a sustainable management method, reduce the use of fossil fuels and contribute to the paint’s very low VOC emissions.”
All Interpon powder coatings at AkzoNobel are free of volatile organic compounds (VOC), offering eco-friendly solutions for its customers. “Add to that the superior quality and the fact that powder coatings are available for a wide range of applications in thousands of colors, different textures, gloss, color and shine – from architectural and furniture to conventional and electric cars, valves and fittings, rebar and pipelines – to fit all our customer’s needs,” said Vlad.
When formulating zero and low VOC coatings there are many factors to consider.
“With low and zero VOC paints, it’s important to consider air quality, green building initiatives and certifications, carbon footprint and LEED v4 attributes while understanding product performance qualities that are important to professional and DIY painters,” said Miller. “It is also important to know how these products differ, understand the standards for low- and zero-VOC certification and how they impact job specifications. The main differentiator in the market is the classification as ‘low’ VOC versus ‘zero’ VOC. Low and zero VOC products now apply similarly to other paints in coverage and feel.”
“Our powder coatings are economic and environmentally-friendly, containing no VOCs, replacements or additives, and no toxic heavy metals such as lead or chromium (VI) through formulation to disposal,” said Vlad. “Our powder coatings offer an excellent performance level whilst meeting the wide-ranging global coatings standards.”
Zero and low VOC coatings can be used in a wide variety of applications.
“Application areas often vary based on the customer or habitants’ needs,” said Miller. “For example, if a professional contractor is interested in earning LEED v4 credits, or a space needs to be painted and quickly occupied again such as a nursing home, hotel or apartment, low or zero-VOC products are a good fit. Likewise, if a consumer is looking to paint a room in their house with high traffic, such as the kitchen or living room, the low-odor capabilities of many zero and low-VOC products are a good fit.”
AkzoNobel’s powder coatings supply a vast range of industries including architectural, automotive, industrial and consumer applications.
“For architectural structures, our Interpon D is the range of choice,” said Vlad. “Our sustainable building solutions with top-level durability and aesthetics can be found on windows and doors, facades, curtain walling, sunshades and shutters, fencing, railings and garage doors among others. In addition, we deliver a broad high-performance range of powder coatings to protect and beautify domestic appliances, furniture, IT, lighting, renewable energy, packaging, machinery and equipment. The functionalities our products offer range from corrosion protection, anti-graffiti, heat resistance to antimicrobial properties, and many more.”
In the automotive industry, Interpon powder coatings can be found on aluminum wheels, trim and underbody components – and AkzoNobel offers solutions for the electric vehicle market. Its Resicoat brand provides extreme corrosion protection and insulation for heavy industry on products such as pipelines, valves, fittings and rebar.
According to Miller, environmental stewardship has driven PPG’s research and development for more than a century.” In the last decade, a strategic realignment to focus our product portfolio almost entirely on paints and coatings has enabled a concerted and disciplined approach to develop sustainably advantaged products and processes that provide sustainability benefits to our customers. As previously mentioned, one example of this is our SEIGNEURIE Phylopur interior wall paint, using a 97 percent bio-based resin produced from plants and industrial by-products. The renewable raw materials, which are cultivated according to a sustainable management method, reduce the use of fossil fuels and contribute to the paint’s very low VOC emissions.”
“PPG is focused on making our business, and our customers, more sustainable,” Miller continued. “In 2019, 33 percent of our sales were from sustainable-advantaged products and processes. We reduced our greenhouse gas emissions by seven percent and reduced our water disposal intensity 25 percent from a 2017 baseline, meeting our 2025 goal six years ahead of schedule.”
“At AkzoNobel, we are committed to ongoing research and development, continuing to develop sustainable solutions to customers across all industry sectors,” said Vlad. “AkzoNobel offers customers Interpon Low-E powder coatings for lower curing temperatures or shorter curing time, saving energy and lowering the environmental footprint. Interpon Redox powder coatings simplify corrosion protection capabilities and prolong the life span of metal assets considerably meaning less pressure on natural resources.”
Typically, higher concentrations of VOCs are found indoors, so the USGBC recommends specifying low-emitting or non-emitting products – including coatings, to significantly reduce the quantity.
USGBC’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating systems has become the standard for green building initiatives in the U.S. Companies that wish to receive LEED certification on their construction products rely on low and zero VOC coatings in order to comply.
LEED and global environmental regulations have created a demand for low and zero VOC products. In the past low and zero VOC products had performance issues. Recently paint manufacturers have launched a host of low and zero VOC products to meet both DIY and professional demand.
“Sustainability is a core focus for not only PPG but our customers and partners,” said Anthony Miller, associate marketing manager, PPG paint brand. “Sustainable products, such as those that are low VOC, will continue to be a priority in the paints and coatings industry for both professional and do-it-yourself (DIY) painters alike.”
While liquid coatings must be formulated to remove VOCs, powder coatings contain no VOCs. “AkzoNobel is passionate about developing and delivering sustainable solutions to all our customers worldwide,” said Daniela Vlad, AkzoNobel business unit director, Powder Coatings. “Environmentally-friendly coatings are at the heart of our work, ensuring that we offer greener solutions in line with environmental regulations. AkzoNobel is a global leader in the powder coatings market. Our Interpon powder coatings are solvent-free; they are primarily applied to metal and similar conductive surfaces, and they contain no volatile organic compounds (VOC) at all.”
PPG PAINTS PURE PERFORMANCE paint, sold at PPG Paints stores and independent retailers nationwide, is formulated to provide excellent hiding and ease of application in addition to low odor, zero VOCs* (*Colorants added to base paint may increase VOC levels significantly depending on color choice), and anti-microbial properties resulting from the incorporation of an ingredient which inhibits the growth of mold, mildew and algae on the dry paint film. Pure Performance paint is ideal for use in occupied areas such as hotel/motel resort properties, nursing homes, homes, schools, government facilities, retail space, office buildings, hospitals and apartments. Additionally, Pure Performance is GreenGuard Gold Certified and meets the emissions and materials disclosure criteria for LEED v4.
“In addition, PPG manufactures a new SEIGNEURIE Phylopur interior wall paint, available in Europe and Africa, which uses a 97 percent bio-based resin produced from plants and industrial by-products,” said Miller. “The renewable raw materials, which are cultivated according to a sustainable management method, reduce the use of fossil fuels and contribute to the paint’s very low VOC emissions.”
All Interpon powder coatings at AkzoNobel are free of volatile organic compounds (VOC), offering eco-friendly solutions for its customers. “Add to that the superior quality and the fact that powder coatings are available for a wide range of applications in thousands of colors, different textures, gloss, color and shine – from architectural and furniture to conventional and electric cars, valves and fittings, rebar and pipelines – to fit all our customer’s needs,” said Vlad.
When formulating zero and low VOC coatings there are many factors to consider.
“With low and zero VOC paints, it’s important to consider air quality, green building initiatives and certifications, carbon footprint and LEED v4 attributes while understanding product performance qualities that are important to professional and DIY painters,” said Miller. “It is also important to know how these products differ, understand the standards for low- and zero-VOC certification and how they impact job specifications. The main differentiator in the market is the classification as ‘low’ VOC versus ‘zero’ VOC. Low and zero VOC products now apply similarly to other paints in coverage and feel.”
“Our powder coatings are economic and environmentally-friendly, containing no VOCs, replacements or additives, and no toxic heavy metals such as lead or chromium (VI) through formulation to disposal,” said Vlad. “Our powder coatings offer an excellent performance level whilst meeting the wide-ranging global coatings standards.”
Zero and low VOC coatings can be used in a wide variety of applications.
“Application areas often vary based on the customer or habitants’ needs,” said Miller. “For example, if a professional contractor is interested in earning LEED v4 credits, or a space needs to be painted and quickly occupied again such as a nursing home, hotel or apartment, low or zero-VOC products are a good fit. Likewise, if a consumer is looking to paint a room in their house with high traffic, such as the kitchen or living room, the low-odor capabilities of many zero and low-VOC products are a good fit.”
AkzoNobel’s powder coatings supply a vast range of industries including architectural, automotive, industrial and consumer applications.
“For architectural structures, our Interpon D is the range of choice,” said Vlad. “Our sustainable building solutions with top-level durability and aesthetics can be found on windows and doors, facades, curtain walling, sunshades and shutters, fencing, railings and garage doors among others. In addition, we deliver a broad high-performance range of powder coatings to protect and beautify domestic appliances, furniture, IT, lighting, renewable energy, packaging, machinery and equipment. The functionalities our products offer range from corrosion protection, anti-graffiti, heat resistance to antimicrobial properties, and many more.”
In the automotive industry, Interpon powder coatings can be found on aluminum wheels, trim and underbody components – and AkzoNobel offers solutions for the electric vehicle market. Its Resicoat brand provides extreme corrosion protection and insulation for heavy industry on products such as pipelines, valves, fittings and rebar.
According to Miller, environmental stewardship has driven PPG’s research and development for more than a century.” In the last decade, a strategic realignment to focus our product portfolio almost entirely on paints and coatings has enabled a concerted and disciplined approach to develop sustainably advantaged products and processes that provide sustainability benefits to our customers. As previously mentioned, one example of this is our SEIGNEURIE Phylopur interior wall paint, using a 97 percent bio-based resin produced from plants and industrial by-products. The renewable raw materials, which are cultivated according to a sustainable management method, reduce the use of fossil fuels and contribute to the paint’s very low VOC emissions.”
“PPG is focused on making our business, and our customers, more sustainable,” Miller continued. “In 2019, 33 percent of our sales were from sustainable-advantaged products and processes. We reduced our greenhouse gas emissions by seven percent and reduced our water disposal intensity 25 percent from a 2017 baseline, meeting our 2025 goal six years ahead of schedule.”
“At AkzoNobel, we are committed to ongoing research and development, continuing to develop sustainable solutions to customers across all industry sectors,” said Vlad. “AkzoNobel offers customers Interpon Low-E powder coatings for lower curing temperatures or shorter curing time, saving energy and lowering the environmental footprint. Interpon Redox powder coatings simplify corrosion protection capabilities and prolong the life span of metal assets considerably meaning less pressure on natural resources.”
