Sustainability in Wood Coatings: Insights from Dr. Alexander Kröger (Grace)
Dr. Alexander Kröger talked to our European Coatings editor Bettina Hoffmann about the latest advancements and sustainability trends in wood coatings. He explains how Grace is focusing on renewable energy and bio-based raw materials to reduce their carbon footprint and meet the increasing demands of the market.
What new developments in wood coatings are particularly worth mentioning?
Dr. Alexander Kröger: Wood coatings have always been subject to technical challenges, most recently the increasing establishment of excimer curing of radiation-curing coatings. The most exciting trend for us is the steady and increasing development towards sustainable technologies and raw materials. In addition to changes in the energy mix used, raw material manufacturers have already started to develop and offer their products on a sustainable basis. With the introduction of binding sustainability targets such as the reduction of 40 % of greenhouse gases emitted in 2019 and 10 % savings in water consumption by 2031, Grace is currently actively working on changes in the energy mix away from natural gas towards renewable energies based on photovoltaics and biomass.
On the product side, the use of bio-based raw materials for the surface treatment of the Syloid product line is being investigated. The first prototypes are currently being tested so that the company can respond to the ever-increasing demand for renewable resources. This will further reduce the CO2 footprint. The trend towards preserving the natural appearance and haptic behaviour of wood is a particular challenge for us as a producer of matting agents. The inherent deep lustre of these coatings places the highest demands on the formulation and raw materials used. This naturally also offers opportunities for new product developments. To meet these requirements, Grace has developed the “Syloid AQ” products for water-based systems in recent years and gradually expanded the “Syloid RAD” product line. Both respond to the increasing requirements of interior wood coatings.
How do you assess the market for wood coatings? Where are the opportunities and risks?
Kröger: It is one of Grace’s core markets. Although the growth forecasts for the coming years are consistently positive, wood coatings are subject to global challenges, the impact of which varies from region to region. While the North American market is relatively stable, the Asian and European markets are significantly affected by weak economic forecasts. The European market was significantly influenced by the coronavirus crisis and the Russia-Ukraine conflict after 2019. The fluctuations in consumer behaviour triggered by Covid meant challenges in the supply chain for both paint and raw material manufacturers and a temporary oversaturation of the market.
Added to this is the high inflation and corresponding increase in the ECB’s key interest rate caused by the energy crisis, which has led many investors and private individuals to postpone planned construction projects. Due to the sharp decline in building permits in Europe of up to 30 %, demand for wood products for interiors is falling sharply. Accordingly, we are currently experiencing stagnating demand in this segment. The trend towards mobile working and declining relocation behaviour stimulated by the coronavirus crisis is further exacerbating this effect. Despite the current difficult situation, the long-term trend towards renewable materials leads us to believe that wood will continue to be in demand as a sustainable raw material in the future. We therefore have a positive outlook for the coming years.
