AkzoNobel, Arkema and BASF jointly lower carbon footprint of architectural powder coatings
AkzoNobel, Arkema and BASF team up along the value chain to lower carbon footprint of architectural powder coatings. From AkzoNobel’s Interpon brand, the superdurable architectural powder coatings have a carbon footprint of 40% lower.
Interpon D2525 was used on the aluminum curtain wall of The Shard in London, which is rated BREEAM Excellent – a globally recognized standard for assessing and certifying the sustainability of buildings and infrastructure. (Source: AkzoNobel)
The improvement has been made possible through a combination of using supplier-specific product carbon footprint (PCF) data and sourcing bio-attributed raw materials.
Previously, the carbon footprint calculations were made on the basis of generic industry averages for polyester resins. By using supplier-specific PCF data instead, these calculations are now more accurate, as they better reflect important variables, such as investments made in process efficiencies and the use of renewable electricity by the partners involved.
Further benefits are gained by using bio-attributed raw materials from BASF which have a zero PCF. Arkema transforms these bio-attributed raw materials to reduce the carbon footprint of low and standard temperature cure superdurable powder coating resins for AkzoNobel.
By leveraging renewable bio-attribution via mass balance and sustainable innovations, we enable continuous improvement in low temperature cure and higher durability solutions. Even more is achievable in terms of mainstream decarbonization along the value chain,” said Richard Jenkins, Senior Vice-President Coating Solutions and Member of the Executive Committee at Arkema.
“By supplying neopentyl glycol (NPG) in a biomass-balanced version manufactured with renewable electricity (NPG ZeroPCF), we’re supporting our value chain partners in advancing their sustainability objectives while at the same time contributing to achieving our own vision,” added Vasilios Galanos, Senior Vice-President of Intermediates Europe, BASF.
The color collections and Low-E architectural powder coatings produced by Interpon in Europe – all of which are superdurable – now use reduced emission bio-attributed material. This means they can play a major role in helping to lower the carbon footprint of the built environment.
The three partners have published an industry case study to offer further insights into the transition to lower carbon footprint powder coatings, including details of the methodology and calculations used.
They are also planning more collaboration across the value chain and welcome a broader network of partners to accelerate the paint and coatings industry’s transformation towards a more sustainable future.
