Akzonobel, Arkema and BASF intend to expand their collaboration further and are encouraging wider participation across the value chain to accelerate the coatings industry’s shift towards greater sustainability.
The carbon footprint of superdurable architectural powder coatings from AkzoNobel’s Interpon brand has been reduced by up to 40%, following a value chain collaboration with Arkema and BASF. The achievement means the Interpon D range can make an even greater contribution to reducing embodied carbon across the entire lifecycle of a building.
“This collaboration is a major step forward for the paints and coatings industry. Our customers require solutions that support their environmental goals and green building certification. By working across the value chain, we’re taking meaningful steps towards carbon footprint reduction, while also demonstrating our unwavering commitment to sustainability,” has stated Jeff Jirak, Director of AkzoNobel’s Powder Coatings business.
The improvement has been driven by the use of supplier-specific product carbon footprint (PCF) data alongside bio-attributed raw materials. Previously, calculations were based on generic industry averages for polyester resins. By drawing on supplier-specific PCF data, the figures now provide a more accurate reflection of factors such as efficiency investments and renewable electricity usage by the partners involved.
“This initiative reflects our commitment to offering more sustainable solutions through innovation and collaboration. Our vision is to be the preferred partner for sustainable intermediates for our customers. 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,” has added Vasilios Galanos, Senior Vice-President, Intermediates Europe at BASF.
Interpon D2525 was used on the aluminium curtain wall of The Shard in London, which is rated BREEAM Excellent – a globally recognised standard for assessing the sustainability of buildings and infrastructure. Additional benefits come from the use of bio-attributed raw materials supplied by BASF, which carry a PCF of zero. Arkema processes these materials to lower the footprint of low and standard temperature cure superdurable powder coating resins for AkzoNobel. The three companies have also released an industry case study outlining the methodology and calculations used in the transition to lower-carbon powder coatings.
“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 decarbonisation along the value chain. Together, we’re developing next generation powder coating solutions with lower carbon emissions for the building and construction sector,” has concluded Richard Jenkins, Senior Vice-President Coating Solutions and Member of the Executive Committee at Arkema.
Moreover, all Interpon superdurable colour collections and Low-E architectural powder coatings produced in Europe now incorporate reduced-emission bio-attributed materials, reinforcing their role in lowering the carbon footprint of the built environment.