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The biggest environmental issue facing the paint industry today is that of Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions and the effect that the solvents contained in paints have on the air we breathe. In the regulations VOCs are 'solvents' that have a boiling point below 250°C at standard atmospheric pressure.
VOCs are emitted from many sources including fuels, numerous industrial operations and household products such as cleaning agents, cosmetics, aerosols and paints. They can accelerate the rate nitrogen oxides (from combustion processes) react with sunlight to create low level ozone and photochemical smog.
Even though less than 3% of all man-made VOCs in Europe (and less than 1% in the UK) come from decorative paint, we have long implemented a voluntary industry agreement for carrying out VOC reductions in products and for displaying VOC content information on product labels. This is to encourage customers to choose products with lower VOC content, but extensive R&D work since the mid-1980s means the products we supply are still meeting end user needs. For example, Dulux Trade 100 Matt from our water-based product range offers highly durable, long lasting protection – a real alternative to solvent-based finishes.
AkzoNobel was instrumental in Europe in lobbying for the EU directive 2004/42/EC. This directive is a two stage process; the first stage, for which in Europe AkzoNobel is fully compliant, started in January 2007 and this will have little or no effect on the quality and properties of AkzoNobel’s products. The second stage starts in 2010, when even stricter limits will be applied, meaning major changes to traditional solvent-based coatings such as trim products.
In South Africa, there is no legislation concerning VOCs. Most our waterbased products are compliant with the 2010 legislation and we’ve embarked on an extensive R&D program to align our solvent based products to this legislation. We’ve also decided to take a leadership role in communicating about VOCs and implement what we’ve already done successfully in Europe.
Dulux Trade will start using two label formats; the text box panel (shown below) which forms part of the EU legislation...
...and also a globe label (shown right) as initiated by B&Q, one of UK largest retailers- this is a voluntary label which Dulux Trade currently uses on all products in the UK and will now start using in South Africa.
Minimal - VOC content 0% to 0.29%
Low - VOC content 0.3% to 7.99%
Medium - VOC content 8% to 24.99%
High - VOC content 25% to 50%
Very High - VOC content more than 50%
As Silver founding members of the Green Building Council of South Africa, Dulux Trade has decided to align all their interior paints to the VOC levels required to gain the relevant points for the Green Star Rating. If you need any assistance with the Green Star Rating, please contact us and one of our fully trained Specifiers will be pleased to assist you.
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