“Creating a circular economy for powder coatings in need of disposal is still an unsolved challenge”

What is the role of powder coatings in lowering carbon footprint?

Dr. Terhi Hirvikorpi: Powder coatings play a significant role in reducing the carbon footprint of our customers operating in various industries from machinery to energy and infrastructure. To proudly start with, the Teknos powder coatings factory at Rajamäki Finland covers its production with solar energy with zero carbon footprint.

All in all, the application process of powder coatings is highly efficient, with overspray being recyclable, leading to nearly 100 % product utilisation and minimal waste.

While powder coatings require higher curing temperatures, the fast curing compared to traditional liquid coatings may enable overall energy savings in high-throughput scenario. Key is also to provide customers with the know-how on the whole process – to develop low-temperature curing solutions that reduce the energy required during the application process, and to evaluate the type of energy being used in their operations e.g. benefitting renewable energy.

The high durability of the powder coatings extends the lifespan of buildings, infrastructures and products, decreasing the needed frequency of maintenance, and thus reducing CO2 footprint and conserving resources. This also answers the evolving challenges of extreme weather conditions and needs of functioning green energy options from wind to hydrogen. Add to that, in form of powder coating material efficiency, there is no transportation of evaporating material like water or solvent. They also emit negligible volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during application, contributing to a cleaner environment.

What are the biggest issues currently unsolved in powder coatings and possible future solutions?

Hirvikorpi: Firstly, the continuous development of energy and process time efficiency is crucial. While not an unsolved issue, this is an area that requires ongoing focus to ensure sustainability and cost-effectiveness.

Secondly, creating a circular economy for powder coatings in need of disposal is still an unsolved challenge. We need more use cases that provide alternatives to burning the powder waste for district heating, such as re-using the powder coating residuals in other applications.

Thirdly, the availability of recycled and renewable raw materials is limited. We need materials that offer similar performance to traditional raw materials to enhance the sustainability of powder coatings, while also ensuring that our products are ‘green wash’ free and genuinely environmentally friendly. This emphasises the importance of using raw materials that are not only sustainable but also verifiably so, avoiding any misleading claims about the environmental benefits of the products. Teknos participates currently in the Nordic Circular Design Programme as only paints company to delve into new circularity options.

Fourthly, the use of powder coatings on heat sensitive substrates is challenging. That is why it is important to acknowledge that powder coatings may not be suitable for all applications, and that is where liquid paints play a role. This is why we serve our customers and consult them on choosing optimal solutions for their requirements, as we provide both liquid and powder know-how.

Fifthly, there is a need to increase general awareness of powder coatings and their capabilities as a material- and throughput-efficient coating solution. Educating the market on the benefits and potential of powder coatings can drive adoption and innovation further.

Reading tip: Powder Coatings

Discover the advantages and applications of powder coatings with the book Powder Coatings Chemistry and Technology by Emmanouil Spyrou. Learn about powder coating chemistry, application methods, curing processes, and environmental benefits. Explore innovations driving the growth of powder coatings in diverse industries.