Green Deal sparks sustainable innovation in paints and coatings
How is the European Green Deal shaping innovation in paints and coatings? Jeroen Diepgrond from Hexion highlights the push for non-toxic binders and reduced carbon footprints, driving sustainable breakthroughs in resin development. Discover how the shift to waterborne systems, renewable feedstocks, and energy-efficient solutions is transforming the industry—leading to a greener, more durable future.
What is the influence of the “Green Deal” on (binder) innovation?
Jeroen Diepgrond: The European Green Deal’s ambitious targets for reducing carbon emissions and minimizing hazardous substances are a key driver for innovation within the paints and coatings value chain. These targets necessitate the development of non-toxic binders with a reduced carbon footprint that maintain or enhance the performance of the paints and coatings in which they are used. As a result, companies focus on sustainable product design, improved energy efficiency, and circular practices. Collaboration along the value chain is crucial to meet these challenges.
At Hexion, we leverage our deep expertise in binders and coating applications to support our customers with safer and more sustainable solutions than have previously been available. For example, we unlock alternative chemistry to iso-cyanates, biocides, and 2-ethylhexanoic acid, and enhance the performance of intumescent coatings.
What was the last big step forward in resin development and why? What do you expect to be the next?
Diepgrond: The most recent significant advancement in resin development for the paints and coatings industry has been the widespread adoption and refinement of waterborne and high-solids resins. Driven by environmental concerns and consumer demand for products with a lower environmental impact, the industry has been able to develop resin systems that matched or exceeded the performance of traditional solvent based systems.
I believe the next advancement in resin development for the paints and coatings industry will aim to address ongoing challenges such as sustainability, as well as performance enhancement and regulatory compliance. Consequently, companies focus on the use of renewable feedstocks and low energy curing solutions to reduce the carbon footprint while maintaining or improving the carbon handprint of new resin solutions.
Hexion has done a Life Cycle Assessment for its key products and is well-positioned to support these initiatives with mass balanced bio-attributed ISCC PLUS certified intermediates, enabling the development of resins with a reduced carbon footprint, while offering the enhanced performance and (outdoor) durability our Versatics intermediates are renowned for.
