Sustainable development by new additives and resin systems

Public construction and private housing have a significant impact on the landscape and environment, creating a notable responsibility for the paint and construction industries to preserve air and water quality. This article explores various additives and specialty resin systems that facilitate sustainable development within decorative architectural coatings and the construction sector. The objective of this research is to align with the outcomes of the Rio Conference and the Kyoto Protocol by adhering to international goals aimed at reducing volatile organic compounds (VOC). The methodology involves an overview of regulations and directives established by the European Community and other regions, emphasizing their role in limiting solvent emissions from industrial processes. The findings underline that architectural paints have become trend-setters in minimizing solvent emissions, with a notable shift towards water-based coatings, which now constitute 70% of decorative coatings used in Europe. Although solvent-borne coatings are still significant in some architectural applications due to aesthetic considerations, the trends indicate a growing preference for environmentally friendly alternatives in the industry.