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Have you ever walked into a freshly painted room and noticed a unique smell? That distinctive odour is probably the consequence of poisonous paint vapours, which can persist for days, perhaps even weeks or years. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which pose health and environmental dangers when inhaled, are among the poisonous vapours that are present in most traditional paints and are especially dangerous when applied inside. This is especially concerning because studies have shown that indoor VOC levels are frequently up to a thousand times higher than outdoor levels immediately after painting and are ten times higher on average than outdoor levels. After the paint dries, these dangerous VOCs are released into the air at high concentrations and may have both short-term and long-term negative health impacts.

Although the highest VOC levels occur during and immediately after painting, painted walls continue to generate VOCs for a number of years. In actuality, the first year may only see the release of half of the original VOCs. Natural-based eco-friendly paints have become more popular as a result of the prolonged release of harmful pollutants.

Paints that are natural or eco-friendly are made with the intention of having zero or low amounts of VOCs. As a result, these paints reduce discomfort brought on by the dangerous compounds included in conventional chemical paints, benefit the environment, and enhance the quality of indoor air. The necessity for eco-friendly paints, their types, advantages, market penetration, difficulties, and IP analysis are covered in this article.

The Severe Impact of Conventional Paints on Human Health & Environment

1. Effect on Human Health

Traditional chemical-based paints have a negative impact on indoor air quality and volatile contaminants. Furthermore, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, VOC exposure, both short- and long-term, may have harmful impacts on health. People can expose themselves and their loved ones to extremely high pollutant levels until and until they utilise products made with safe components, and higher amounts can linger in the air for a very long time after whitewashing is finished.

2. Environmental Impact

Traditional paints are not only bad for the environment but also bad for human health. Remember that conventional paints are a byproduct of the unsustainable petrochemical industry, and that their manufacture can result in significant toxic waste creation. Metals like lead, chromium, silver, cadmium, mercury, barium, arsenic, and selenium may be present in toxic waste. These metals seriously degrade the environment, having an adverse effect on soil, groundwater, and marine life.

Therefore, it is crucial to consider environmental and health safety while choosing high VOC paints. A natural or eco-friendly paint can help to eliminate this risk.

Once you recognise the need for eco-friendly paints, it only makes sense to learn about the many kinds of eco-friendly paints on the market.

Are All Eco-Friendly Paints the Same?

Paint must not contain substances like formaldehyde, phthalates, isoaliphates, 1, 3-butadiene, bisphenol A, toluene and toluene derivatives, crystalline quartz silica, alkyl phenolic compounds, heavy metals, biocides, etc. in order to be considered eco-friendly. Eco-friendly paints don't contain any harmful compounds, and if they do, the VOCs are in the smallest amount possible and have no negative effects on the environment or human health.

1. Natural Paints: These paints are created using natural ingredients like plant oils, milk casein, beeswax, tree resins, water, plant oils, mineral dyes, essential oils, and natural minerals. There are no VOCs in them. Oil-based paints have a fragrance, whereas water-based paints don't.

2. Zero VOC Paints: These paints are referred to as "zero-VOC paints" since they contain comparatively little VOC. Such paints only have a small amount of VOC in them—less than five g/litre.

3. Low VOC Paints: These paints range in VOC content from five to fifty grammes per litre. They also employ water as a solvent.

No of the type, utilising eco-friendly paints has a lot of advantages. The benefits of utilising environmentally friendly paints will be covered in the section that follows.

Eco-friendly paints' advantages

Eco-friendly paints are significantly safer to use in homes, hospitals, or schools because they have minimal VOC levels. In addition, there are requirements that paints must follow in order to be considered "eco-friendly," such as the one described here.

Eco-friendly paints are stronger and more environmentally friendly than traditional alternatives thanks to modern production procedures. These paints are created in a wide range of colours to match any style while providing improved performance, enhancing the ambience of your home overall, and protecting the environment.

1. Low VOC Content: As was already said, the majority of commercial chemical paints include VOCs. These VOCs are non-biodegradable and non-recyclable in addition to leaving behind a distinctive odour and floating contaminants that impact indoor air quality. On the other hand, eco-friendly paints produce far less waste and harm because they contain little to no or little VOCs.

2. Economical Options: On the surface, eco-friendly paints may appear to be more expensive than conventional paints. But in addition to being more environmentally friendly, these paints might also be of higher quality than those made with chemicals, which would make the price tag more reasonable. Additionally, they have fewer chances of yellowing and better colour retention, coverage, viscosity, abrasion resistance, and paint coverage.

3. Natural Raw Materials: Only natural materials, such as milk protein, seed oil, bees wax, and lemon peel extract, are used in the production of eco-friendly paints. When used in the production of products and during product application, these natural raw materials do not emit toxic emissions or have a negative impact on the environment.

4. Minimal Environmental Impact: Since eco-friendly paints use water or other environmentally friendly ingredients as a base, they help minimise carbon footprint and are biodegradable. The risk of harmful VOC emissions generated by conventional paints containing hazardous chemicals, such as: Bisphenol A (BPA), N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) solvent, Isothiazolinone preservatives, and Nonyl phenol-based surfactants, is reduced when water or another environmentally friendly material is used as a solvent.

5. Healthier Alternative: Chemical paints contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that remain toxic for up to five years after being used. As a result, those who are regularly exposed to VOCs run a higher risk of getting lung cancer, sensitivity issues, and respiratory illnesses. On the other hand, environmentally friendly paints made from natural and earth-friendly materials are completely safe for both people and the environment.

6. Better Coverage: Eco-friendly paints outperform their chemical equivalents in terms of quality in addition to minimising the negative environmental effects of hazardous emissions. Superior coverage, enhanced colour retention, viscosity, a wide range of hues, little abrasion, and the avoidance of problems like paint yellowing are all benefits of using eco-friendly paints on your walls.

7. Less waste produced: When comparing eco-friendly paints to traditional chemical-based paints, the latter are clearly superior. When made and even years after their application, chemical paints release harmful VOCs. However, there are no such by-products in natural ones.

Consumers are still delaying in switching to eco-friendly paints despite their many advantages. Consumers frequently believe that switching to eco-friendly paints will result in a reduction in quality and finish. But in practise, eco-friendly paints still come in a variety of colours, are tough, and have a long shelf life. Therefore, consumers do not have to choose eco-friendly paints while maintaining a certain level of elegance. Although environmentally friendly paints are more expensive than conventional paints, the variety of advantages they offer makes them well worth the additional expense.

So, is there a trade-off between eco-friendliness and aesthetics?

When purchasers are aware of how to distinguish between low-VOC and no-VOC paints, the advantages that low VOC paint offers make it appealing to them.

How to Spot a Low-VOC or No-VOC Paint?

1. 50 g/L or Lower: The usual units for measuring VOC levels are grammes per litre (g/l) or pounds per gallon (lbs/gal). The majority of low VOC paints marketed by reputable brands have concentrations of 50 g/L or less. The measurements taken before adding pigment or any other additions are represented by the numbers on the paint can.

2. The Green Seal: Paints bearing this certification are assured to adhere to strict environmental standards and performance criteria. A green seal on paints attests to their compliance with regulations and their absence of a variety of dangerous substances, such as reproductive poisons, carcinogens, heavy metals, hazardous air pollutants, and formaldehyde contributors.

3. Natural Paints: These paints are made with substances that are found in nature, like chalk, linseed oil, clay, and lime. Natural paints don't use any artificial oil-based ingredients. Because of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) control of air quality, they naturally contain low VOCs. Customers should always read the label's composition because certain natural paints could include unreported VOCs.

After describing how to choose low-VOC or no-VOC paint, let's talk about the market penetration of low VOC paint in the present and the future.

Market Research

The market for low VOC paint is projected to expand at a CAGR of 6.92% from 2020 to 2025 and reach about $12.8 billion.

With a market share of more than 47.2% in recent years, Asia-Pacific led the low VOC paint market, followed by North America and Europe. The Asia-Pacific area has a number of important markets, including Korea, Japan, China, and India.

By 2024, it's anticipated that there will be a 70% increase in the supply of affordable housing in India. Additionally, the expanding need for infrastructure projects gives the building and construction sector in APAC constant push, driving up the demand for low VOC paints in the architectural sector. China is another desirable market for low VOC paints, in addition to India. One of the numerous reasons for this is recent Chinese government laws requiring the cessation of VOC emissions from manufacturing facilities.

Low VOC Paints Market Challenges

High Price: Modern solvents make low VOC paints more expensive than traditional paints. Three obstacles, including improved usability, stable price, and green chemistry in low VOC layers, have caused major manufacturers to struggle.

Awareness of consumer goods The companies have been running a consistent marketing effort, but product awareness is still not where it needs to be. Many business owners, workers, and environmental agency representatives are ignorant about eco-friendly paints. Because of this, raising awareness is still a major problem that marketers must solve.

Longer drying times: Certain low-VOC paints employ solvents that take longer to dry and are more difficult to use. The use of less volatile solvents accounts for the prolonged drying time. As a result, drying times in many instances might be up to 12–16 hours.

Market Trends for Eco-Friendly Paints

AkzoNobel NV, American Formulating & Manufacturing, Asian Paints Ltd, Auro Pflanzenchemie AG, Axalta Coating Systems LLC, BASF SE, Benjamin Moore & Co., Berger Paints India Limited, Bioshield Paint - Eco Design Co., etc. are some of the top businesses in the world that provide eco-friendly products.

The world's leading manufacturer of paints and performance coatings, AkzoNobel NV serves consumers, businesses, and industries all over the world by providing crucial ingredients, colours, and protection. Performance Coatings and Decorative Paints are the two divisions of the company's operations. Additionally, low VOC coatings are available under the Dulux Trade brand. Below we also cover some more well-known brands in addition to Dulux:

Japanese Paints: Its environmentally friendly paint, Nilaya, is marketed as being safe for the environment and made with roughly 95% natural ingredients, including soya bean extract, casein, calcium carbonate, castor seeds, and neem oil, and boasts features like breathability, a crisp, fresh scent, flawless finishing, and a ten-year performance warranty.

Berger: The Silk Breath Easy is a high-end interior paint made with acrylic emulsions and pigments that have low volatile organic compound (VOC) and formaldehyde-reducing properties.

Dulux: Interior latex paint from the Ultra Zero VOC by Dulux brand is used to paint interior surfaces like plaster, concrete, dry wall, and wood. It provides a fantastic finish with simple application and terrific touch-up.

Nerolac: Their eco-friendly solution has an odourless water-based emulsion with a low VOC concentration of less than 5g/L. Its main advantages include its stain resistance, high washability, and anti-bacterial qualities with a smooth finish.

Key Takeaways

• The World Health Organization's and United Nations Environment Program's initiative to ban lead paint will promote the use of low VOC paint globally.
• Increased consumer spending, product development, convenience of use, and technological improvement will all contribute to the industry's growth for low VOC paint.
• Demand for low VOC paint is anticipated to expand significantly due to uses in manufacturing, home appliances, and architecture.
• Future car output will increase as the sector undergoes a dramatic transition. The expansion will also foster an environment that is favourable for the growth of the low VOC paint market.
• The market study for low VOC paints was covered in this part, along with projections for future growth.