Project
Reduced ecological footprint of coatings – paint, ink, adhesives and sealants through the use of biobased materials
Fossil-based raw materials, along with the energy used in the production and application of paints and inks, significantly contribute to the overall ecological footprint of the paint and printing ink sector. Through the RECOAT project, we are collaborating with the Dutch Association of Paint and Printing Ink Manufacturers (VVVF) and Avans University of Applied Sciences to develop insights and practical tools to help this sector transition from fossil-based ingredients to more renewable alternatives.
This shift in the coatingsector – paint, ink, adhesives and sealants requires the creation of new value chains, where technological innovations in renewable ingredients and their commercial production are linked to the needs of the companies that produce the coatings.
Insights and course of action
The goal of this project is to facilitate dialogue between coatingproducers and suppliers of agricultural raw materials and biobased ingredients. Stakeholders will be provided with insights and a clear course of action regarding existing and developing knowledge and opportunities to reduce the ecological footprint of paint, ink, adhesive and sealant products using bio based materials and derivatives. Beyond this industry sector, parts of this knowledge will also benefit related sectors, such as the packaging industry (e.g., paper coatings).
Tailored knowledge transfer
The RECOAT project facilitates tailored knowledge transfer, focusing on region-specific or company-specific contexts to drive change and provide a clear course of action. This is accomplished by organizing workshops that share and interpret available information, along with creating a dissemination toolbox that includes a variety of knowledge products. These may include a booklet for the paint, ink, adhesive and sealant industry, a white paper, and educational materials, such as a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course).
Indispensable industry sector
Coatings such as paints, inks, adhesives and sealants play an important role in making various materials more sustainable, including buildings, construction materials, roads, transportation, and packaging. They protect materials from decay and spoilage, as well as corrosion, thereby extending the lifespan of many products. Additionally, coatings serve an important decorative and signaling function. While the production of these products has a low CO2 emission, the raw materials sourced from the chemical industry do not. For this reason, the sector is exploring alternative raw material streams with a lower CO2 footprint.
This project is funded by Topsectors Agri&Food and Horticulture & Starting Materials through the Kennis op Maat (KoM) call of November 2023.