News Coatings Technologies
Aimplas develops air-purifying coatings for urban furniture
The Dacco2 project, led by Aimplas and supported by Icave+i and the ERDF, is developing active coatings for urban furniture surfaces that can adsorb and break down air pollutants using photocatalytic materials.
To address the growing issue of urban air pollution, Aimplas – the Plastics Technology Centre – is leading the Dacco2 project, which focuses on developing active coatings for urban furniture surfaces. These coatings are capable of adsorbing air pollutants or transforming them into less harmful substances through photocatalytic processes powered by sunlight.
In collaboration with Laurentia Technologies, Alfarben and Toldos Costa Blanca, Aimplas is working on coatings suitable for use on painted surfaces and waterproof textiles commonly found in outdoor urban environments.
Event tip: Modern Functional Coatings – Self-Healing, Anti-Ice and Beyond
On 29 October 2025, the European Coatings seminar Modern Functional Coatings: Self-Healing, Anti-Ice and Beyond will take place online. The event explores advanced coating functionalities that go beyond corrosion protection and aesthetics – including anti-ice, anti-graffiti, self-healing and sharkskin effects. Participants will learn which of these functionalities are already market-ready, how they work, and what role nanotechnology plays. Topics include suitable coating systems, the control of specific effects, and the potential to combine multiple functionalities in a single formulation. If you’re looki ng to add innovative performance features to your coating systems, this online seminar offers valuable practical insights.
Direct Air Capture with Functional Coatings
The project centres on materials with high adsorption capacity and photocatalytic activity. Adsorptive materials effectively trap pollutants from the air, while photocatalytic substances oxidise these pollutants using solar energy, converting them into non-toxic compounds. A key goal of Dacco2 is to combine both mechanisms into a single coating system without compromising their individual performance.
In parallel, the team is conducting detailed analyses of pollutant concentrations in various indoor and outdoor environments across the Valencian Community. The data are being compared with World Health Organization (WHO) air quality thresholds to assess potential health impacts and identify primary sources of emissions. This work also aims to raise public awareness about air pollution and its risks.
Dacco2 is funded under the Icave+i programme for non-economic R&D projects, co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the 2021–2027 Operational Programme.
Source: Aimplas, Dacco2 project press release, 23 May 2025.
