We continue to analyze the concept of "green paints" and their true meaning and function for the industry.
by M.Sc. Ph.D. Julián A. Restrepo R.*
The first part of this article analyzed the role of green chemistry, the issue of pollutants and the environmental problem of paints and VOCs. Now we continue to highlight the specific role of the paintings in the "green" theme.
The role of the Paint Industry: In this context, what role does the paints and coatings industry play? This is how, for several years, the VOC content of paints has been reduced, in fact there are coating systems completely absent of organic solvents, and if you also consider, the fact that many manufacturers of raw materials in the industry already work under concepts of eco-efficiency, sustainable processes or in the reduction of many of the toxic and polluting products used in their processes, this shows the outstanding role of this industry in the development of more environmentally friendly processes and products [15].
Likewise, a review of the role of one of the most familiar solvents that surrounds us is observed, in fact it is the solvent of nature and is called the "universal solvent" (which is not of organic origin and therefore, does not constitute a VOC!): Water. This shows that new and diverse aqueous systems have managed to replace many traditional solvent-based systems, even in industries as demanding as automotive. This shows the significant adaptability of the coatings industry in facing the challenges it faces [15].
We can briefly analyze some examples of companies that have integrated concepts of high product quality and low environmental impact, as well as concepts of eco-efficiency, innovation and sustainability: This is how the multinational paint company PPG Industries (currently number 1 in the world ranking of paint companies) stands out [16] [17], which shows a step forward in ecological mentality, since it considers sustainability as one of its pillars for several years now. Many of the innovations introduced by this company, in recent years, have represented for its customers a competitive advantage, as well as for the environment, since it has been, for example, one of the pioneering companies in the launch of paints with low voC level [14].
Likewise, the multinational Monsanto has developed polyurethane resins from processes absent from phosgene (used in the conventional process); for its part, the German Degussa (now BASF), has developed successful commercial products from "design solvents", such as "ionic liquids", for use in the production of various dispersants, surfactants and plasticizers [15].
In short: What are "Green Paintings"?
We can answer some basic questions associated with "Green Paints":
- What is its formulation? Although there are mainly three types of environmental problems associated with conventional paints, we have already discussed that the main environmental problem caused by paints is related to their VOC content. Therefore, those with a low content of VOCs (<250 g/l) can be considered "green paints". Although more broadly, so can those paints that demonstrably seek the reduction of other types of contaminants: Reduction of heavy metals, elimination of endocrine disruptors and carcinogenic compounds, etc.
Paints that use raw materials from renewable resources, that use "alternative solvents" (less harmful to the environment) or that come from "cleaner" or demonstrably less polluting processes than conventional ones can also be considered as "green".
- What is its marketing? By employing alternative technologies to reduce voC content, some paint companies have used this argument as an advertising tool and have called their products "green paints" or "green paints" [3] or have used different "green logos" in their product.
On the other hand, it is curious to find companies that self-designate as ecological, because they have carried out actions aimed at reducing the impact of their products or processes on the environment, when in many cases this obeys legal requirements or associated with the application of Quality systems (ISO 9000, 14000, 18000), or "Integral Responsibility", among others.
The important thing, really, is not the fact of paying attention to the type of denomination that is given to the products, since in many cases by trying to achieve greater marketing of their products, some companies end up causing a "greater damage" [3] (see below the concept of Greenwashing).
- What is your present? The manufacture of environmentally friendly products can not only be considered for the reduction of VOCs, but for a whole set of environmental policies that paint producing companies must have (as is the case of the company PPG Industries [17]), where it is considered a more environmentally friendly product from the very stage of development (such as contemplating the use of less harmful materials, more biodegradable, more compatible with the environment, supplied by "clean suppliers", among others), through the production process (where all processes are standardized, maximum use of materials is intended and there is an adequate use of resources, among others). Counting on the packaging of the product (where packaging of easy disposal, safe, manufactured with less polluting materials, among others, are intended). In reality, environmental considerations include many more areas, such as transportation, marketing, customer utilization, waste disposal, etc.
We can conclude then that, there is no product manufactured by man that can be considered as truly ecological, since in its production process an impact on the environment is exerted (to a greater or lesser degree), altering the balance of the environment.
- What is your future? We know that the research, design and development of the formulation of coatings in recent years, as well as future studies, take into account above all the requirement to respect the conservation of the environment as much as possible, both for economic and ecological reasons, which mainly means reduction, elimination and partial or complete replacement of organic solvents [4].
When companies make efforts in search of improving the environment, and reducing the impact of their production processes, they tend to manufacture more environmentally friendly and non-ecological products, since if they were ecological it would imply that they would be in complete balance with the environment. Strictly speaking, companies that call themselves ecological seek to have a lower impact on the environment and offer more environmentally friendly products, but they cannot offer truly ecological products [3].
However, not everything offered as a "green product" meets expectations. The communication of attributes, and the purchasing power and education of consumers, affect the development of the market for sustainable products [2].
Another important aspect about "green products" is that there are many products that are designated as such, but are not. This is known as Greenwashing. The consumer usually has faith in the producer, and if he tells him, for example, that a soap does not pollute the water because it has fewer phosphates, the claim is false because any phosphate contaminates. Therefore, today three types of declaration on organic products are worked on: the self-declaration, which is made by the producers themselves and which often leads to deception; green seals, some of them country seals, which are eco-labels granted by governments to producers after compliance with demanding requirements; and certifications, which are granted by independent bodies, which guarantee the quality and attributes of the products [2].
Strictly speaking, to properly validate that a product can be truly considered as environmentally friendly, green or ecological, the so-called LCA (Life Cycle Analysis, Spanish translation of the acronym) should be used as a modern and more accurate tool for the analysis of the impact that a product causes on the environment.
Conclusions
The usefulness of developing products with low levels of VOCs translates into greater safety in production and application, lower emissions, lower levels of air pollutants and ultimately, more environmentally friendly coatings. We know that the global trend is directed towards reducing the solvent content in paints, but not eliminating it altogether, as otherwise the legislation would require a zero VOC content, which is not really the case, and instead, there is a maximum permissible value of VOCs for certain paints and sectors [4].
The ideal objective in the development of "green products" is to achieve the best balance between cost-benefit, although today we know that both not only refer to price and performance, but that the new orientations bear in mind that a good performance of a painting is also obtained, when it exerts the least impact on the environment, thus providing a low cost of environmental impact [19].
The paint industry shows that it is a very dynamic sector and prepared to adapt to the future changes that the development of environmentally friendly products can cause. But it should be borne in mind that before the market moves towards a sustainability approach, it is also necessary to fill the existing gap in safety: Stricter legislation to force the shift towards cleaner technologies, which will lead to a sustainable, environmentally friendly and cheap future [9].
References
[1] Restrepo, V., "Solvents still do not disappear", Inpralatina, Vol. 15, No. 5, Sept/Oct 2010, pp. 9-11.
[2] http://www.elespectador.com/tomalapalabra/pacific-rubiales/que-tan-verdes-son-los-productos-verdes-205-articulo
[3] Restrepo, J.A., "Ecology and VOC: Developing Environmentally Friendly Products." Inpralatina, Vol. 11, No. 4, July/August 2006, pp. 34-36
[4] Restrepo, J.A., "An Analysis of Some Definitions of These Substances: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)." Vol. 12, No. 6, Nov./Dec. 2007, pp. 24-26
[5] a) Hazel, N. J. "Using LCA to select coatings for optimum environmental and cost performance". JCT, Vol. 68, No. 861. Oct, 1996; b) Hofland, A. "Ecology at any price?: Ecological balance of some water-based paints". Conference presented at the EUROCOAT 94 congress in Sitges, Barcelona.
[6] Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development (Brundtland Commission): Our Common Future, UN, 1987.
[7] (a) http://www.thomasnet.com/articles/chemicals/green-chemistry-history; b) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachel_Carson
[8] Mayoral, J.A., "Use of alternative solvents", Internet publication: www.unia.es/nuevo_inf_academica/visualizar_file_adjunto.asp?ID=1606
[9] Restrepo, J.A., "Green Chemistry in Paintings". Inpralatina, Vol. 13, No. 4, July/August 2008, pp. 28-31
[10] - Restrepo, J.A., "Renewable Solvents", Inpralatina, Vol. 13, No. 6, Nov/Dec. 2008, pp. 16-20
[11] http://www.istas.net/web/index.asp?idpagina=3447
[12] http://www.lineaysalud.com/que-es/metales-pesados-o-metales-toxicos
[13] http://www.inecc.gob.mx/calaire-informacion-basica/524-calaire-cont-peligrosos-aire
[14] Pulgarín, D.F. and Restrepo, J.A. "Reduction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) through water-based technology in wood coatings". Thesis National University, Headquarters Medellín, 2002.
[15] a) Restrepo, J.A., "Oil and its adaptation to paintings, part I". Inpralatina, Vol. 18, No. 2, March/April 2013, pp. 16-20; b) Restrepo, J.A., "El petróleo y su adaptación a las pinturas, parte II". Inpralatina, Vol. 18, No. 3, May/June 2013, pp. 14-17
[16] http://es.ppgrefinish.com/es/acerca-de-ppg/ppg-industries/
[17] You can also visit PPG Industries' corporate website: www.ppg.com, "Bringing innovation to the surface".
[18] Restrepo, J.A., "Alternative Solvents". Inpralatina, Vol. 13, No. 5, sept./oct. 2008, pp. 16-19
[19] a) Isaza, V.H., Restrepo, J.A., "The goal should be sustainable development: The challenge of 'environmental' paintings (part 1)." Inpralatina, Vol. 12, No. 4, July/August 2007, pp. 32-34; b) Isaza, V.H., Restrepo, J.A., "The goal must be sustainable development: The challenge of 'environmental' paintings (part 2)", Vol. 12, No. 5, Sept/Oct 2007, pp. 32-37
* M.Sc. Ph.D. Julián A. Restrepo R. PMC Technical Manager of PPG Industries Colombia. [email protected]
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