Sustainability has become one of the most frequently used words in the paints and coatings industry.

A product may be described as sustainable because it is water-based, contains renewable raw materials, has a lower VOC content or uses less of a particular ingredient. Each of these characteristics can be valuable, but none of them tells the complete story on its own.

A water-based coating that needs frequent maintenance may use more material over time than a more durable alternative. A bio-based ingredient may reduce dependence on fossil resources, but still needs to deliver the required technical performance. A lower-VOC formulation may look preferable in the tin, but not if it requires extra coats, longer drying times or more energy during application.

A truly sustainable coating must therefore be assessed across its full lifecycle, from the origin of its raw materials and the efficiency of its manufacture to its application, service life, maintenance requirements and eventual disposal.

Sustainability must be measured across the full lifecycle

A useful assessment begins long before the product reaches the application stage.

It considers the resources and energy used to manufacture raw materials, the efficiency of the formulation and production process, packaging and transport, emissions during application, the coating’s coverage and drying requirements, and how long it performs before maintenance or replacement is needed.

This broader approach is reflected in the European Commission’s lifecycle-based framework for environmental performance. The revised EU Ecolabel criteria for paints and varnishes, for example, connect reduced hazardous substances and VOCs with fitness for use and high technical performance.

That connection matters. Environmental improvement should not be achieved by weakening the protection, appearance or service life the coating was designed to provide.

Bio-based raw materials are part of the answer, not the complete answer

Renewable feedstocks can help the coatings industry reduce its dependence on fossil-based resources and create new routes to speciality chemicals.

Vegetable oils, fatty-acid derivatives and other natural materials can be transformed into binders, polyols, additives and reactive intermediates with useful properties for modern formulations.

However, the term “bio-based” describes the origin of part of the material. It does not automatically demonstrate the environmental performance of the finished coating.

Formulators still need to consider renewable content, responsible sourcing, processing requirements, transport, compatibility, dosage, durability and whether the ingredient allows the finished product to meet its technical specification.

Lower VOCs must be combined with application performance

Reducing volatile organic compounds remains an important objective for both regulatory compliance and environmental performance.

Waterborne technologies have opened new opportunities in decorative, industrial and protective coatings, but changing the carrier system creates a different set of formulation and application requirements.

A low-VOC coating still needs to wet the substrate, form a continuous film, dry within the required production window and deliver adhesion, hardness, corrosion resistance, chemical resistance and weathering performance.

The complete system must be validated. A reduction in emissions is most valuable when it is achieved without increasing the number of coats, extending downtime or shortening the useful life of the finish.

Durability may be the most important sustainability measure of all

The environmental impact of a coating does not end when it dries.

Coatings protect buildings, infrastructure, machinery and manufactured products from corrosion, moisture, chemicals, UV exposure, abrasion and weathering. When that protection lasts longer, maintenance can be delayed, substrate replacement may be avoided and fewer materials are consumed over time.

This is why durability should be treated as both a technical performance measure and a sustainability strategy.

The lowest-cost coating at the point of purchase is not always the lowest-impact option. A more durable system may require a greater initial investment but reduce labour, materials, disruption, energy use and waste across the service life of an asset.

The correct question is therefore not only “What is the environmental profile of this litre of coating?” It is also “How much protection does it provide, over what period, and how often will the surface need to be treated again?”

Safer substitution must protect the complete formulation

The move away from substances of concern, intentionally added microplastics and critical raw materials is creating new formulation challenges.

An additive may be present at a relatively low concentration, but still control essential properties such as flow, levelling, slip, abrasion resistance, matting, foam control or surface feel.

Replacing it requires more than finding an ingredient with a more attractive environmental profile. The alternative must work in the full formulation and remain effective under production, storage, application and end-use conditions.

Sustainable substitution is therefore a performance-validation exercise as much as a raw-material decision.

Resource efficiency can be as important as ingredient replacement

Sustainability does not always require eliminating a material completely.

In some cases, a meaningful improvement can come from using an energy-intensive, costly or resource-demanding ingredient more efficiently while maintaining the optical and physical properties of the coating.

Pigment optimisation is a good example. Formulators must balance opacity, whiteness, colour development, durability, application properties and cost. Reducing one component without considering the full pigment and filler system can weaken performance or increase the coating quantity required to achieve the same result.

The more useful objective is to improve the efficiency of the complete formulation, using material only where it adds measurable value.

A sustainable coating must work in the real world

Laboratory formulation is only one stage in the lifecycle of a coating.

A product also needs to be manufactured consistently, transported and stored safely, applied using available equipment and conditions, and maintained appropriately throughout its service life.

Practical sustainability questions include:

A formulation that performs well only under ideal laboratory conditions may not deliver the same environmental benefit at industrial scale or in the hands of the end user.

Evidence turns sustainability into a credible product claim

Sustainability should be specific enough to measure.

Instead of relying on a broad description such as “green” or “environmentally friendly”, a manufacturer can identify the precise improvement being made. This might include renewable carbon content, reduced VOC emissions, lower use of a specific material, longer maintenance intervals, fewer application layers or verified performance under defined test conditions.

The evidence must match the claim. Formulation data, test results, lifecycle information, certifications and comparisons should use clear boundaries and remain current when raw materials or processes change.

This protects customers from vague claims, but it also helps manufacturers understand which innovations create genuine value and which simply move an impact from one stage of the lifecycle to another.

Explore sustainable coatings at Paint & Coatings Italy 2026

The Sustainability Academy at Paint & Coatings Italy 2026 will bring together technical, regulatory and strategic perspectives on the sector’s sustainable transition.

Across 28 and 29 October, the programme will explore bio-based chemistry, low and zero-VOC systems, microplastic-free additives, resource efficiency, durable coatings, industrial resilience, compliance and performance validation.

For formulators, R&D teams, manufacturers, raw-material suppliers, technical managers and sustainability professionals, it offers an opportunity to move beyond broad claims and examine how environmental objectives can be translated into coatings that work in practice.

Frequently asked questions

Is a water-based coating always more sustainable?

Not automatically. Water-based systems can reduce solvent emissions, but their complete environmental performance also depends on raw materials, production, application, energy use, durability and the number of coats required.

Does bio-based mean biodegradable?

No. Bio-based describes the renewable origin of some or all of a material’s carbon. It does not automatically mean that the ingredient or finished coating is biodegradable.

Why is coating durability important for sustainability?

A durable coating can extend the life of the substrate, reduce maintenance frequency and limit the materials, labour, energy and waste associated with repeated treatment or replacement.

How can a sustainable coating claim be supported?

The claim should identify a specific improvement and be supported by relevant evidence, such as formulation data, test results, lifecycle information, third-party certification or a clearly defined comparison.

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