News Application Areas
Protective coatings: “Balancing sustainability, durability, and cost efficiency”
Protective coatings must withstand harsh environments while meeting tighter sustainability targets. Raghuraman Govindan Karunakaran, senior product development chemist for crosslinkers at Evonik’s Global Coatings Applied Technology division, explains how raw material innovation is helping formulators reconcile high performance with regulatory compliance and cost efficiency. Interview by Damir Gagro
From a raw material supplier’s perspective, which performance requirements are driving the most innovation in coating formulations?
Raghuraman Govindan Karunakaran: Enhancing overall performance and mechanical durability remains a priority for protective coatings, as it extends service life and minimizes maintenance and repair cycles from harsh operating environments. Innovations in raw materials that deliver higher chemical resistance, improved corrosion protection, stronger adhesion, and faster return to service under demanding curing conditions – such as low temperatures and varying humidity- are increasingly essential. At the same time, tightening global regulations on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous materials are driving the development of more sustainable, lower emission solutions, including technologies with a strong focus on reducing the carbon footprints of coating systems. Balancing these performance gains with cost efficiency remains a key driver for innovation, as formulators strive to deliver affordable, high-performing and economically viable coatings.
Sustainability and regulatory pressures continue to shape coatings development, how is this influencing your approach to developing raw materials for high‑performance protective coatings?
Raghuraman Govindan Karunakaran: Evolving environmental regulations worldwide are driving transformative changes in the coatings industry, and we focus on aligning innovation with these trends while still ensuring the required performance standards and protection that demanding applications require. To address these challenges, we work closely with customers, regulatory teams, and industry partners to co-develop solutions that balance sustainability, compliance and high performance. Our coating formulations incorporate bio-based and renewable raw materials, such as natural oils, bio-based monomers, and other sustainable feedstocks, to help reduce the overall carbon footprint of our innovations. Through comprehensive Life Cycle Analyses (LCAs), we provide transparent data-driven insights into the environmental impact of our raw materials, empowering customers to make informed and responsible decisions.
Many end users are looking for longer service life and reduced maintenance, how can advanced raw materials help formulators balance durability, corrosion protection, and cost efficiency?
Raghuraman Govindan Karunakaran: Enhancing coating durability while maintaining cost efficiency remains a significant challenge in the market. Our focus is on developing advanced resins and additives that comply with stringent environmental regulations while offering multiple benefits, including improved mechanical durability, reduced VOC emissions, faster return to service, and enhanced application efficiency. These innovative materials not only strengthen the mechanical properties of coatings but also introduce self-healing capabilities that help repair microcracks or minor damage autonomously, ensuring long-term corrosion resistance and greater resilience against wear, abrasion, and environmental stressors. By integrating these advanced raw materials into coating formulations, we can extend service life of coatings, reduce maintenance demands, and ultimately lower overall application costs.
What trends do you see in raw materials that help improve ease of application without compromising protection?
Raghuraman Govindan Karunakaran: To support sustainability objectives, there is increasing interest in utilizing renewable raw materials for waterborne or high-solid coating formulations. This trend has driven the development of low-viscosity resins, including modified epoxy, polyurethane, and acrylic systems that improve flow and leveling during application, reducing the need for thinning or extensive surface preparation. These advancements enable easier application, particularly with spray or brush techniques, while ensuring consistent film thickness and maintaining protective properties such as chemical resistance and durability.
Reading tip
The EC Tech Report Waterborne Protective Coatings gives you an extensive up-to-date bundle on protective coatings, focusing on water-borne solutions, with articles, videos and other content handpicked by the European Coatings Team. In addition to cutting-edge technical articles, the Tech Report is rounded off with valuable market insights and key fundamentals on water-borne protective coatings.
