Résumé : |
This paper explains the importance of choosing the right coalescent to improve the performance of water-based architectural coatings.
Architectural coatings make up approximately 50% of a 23 billion-litre global paint market. In Europe, the end-users of architectural coatings are split evenly between professional painters and do-it-yourself (DIY) clientele with applications focused primarily on interior walls and ceilings, and exterior façades. Various European market drivers, such as environmentalism, regulatory limits and globalisation have accelerated a move in architectural coatings from solvent-based systems to water-based systems :
- Environmentalism : an environmentally friendly push to lower VOC levels in architectural coatings, reflected by consumer preference for 'greener' architectural coatings. In most instances water-based coatings have lower VOC levels than those that are solvent-based.
- Regulatory limits : European Union Directive 2004/42/EC for Decorative and Vehicle Refinishing Paints calls for a reduction in VOC levels in both solvent-based and water-based systems by 2007.
The same regulatory calls for a more drastic reduction in VOC levels by 2010, making water-based systems the intuitive choice for architectural coatings.
- Globalisation : various coatings manufacturers and even retail chains now institute global environmental policies, which have led to a rationalisation of product lines, the introduction of consumer labeling schemes, a move toward water-based systems, and an overall reduction in the VOC levels of these water-based paints. |