News Coatings Technologies
Review surveys eco-friendly coatings from chemistry to use
A comprehensive review examines the current state of sustainable coating technologies – including water-borne, powder, high-solid, radiation-curable and bio-based hybrid systems – highlighting both their growing industrial viability and the challenges that remain before full performance parity with solvent-borne coatings is achieved.
The transition towards more environmentally responsible coating systems is advancing across multiple application sectors, yet a consolidated overview of the available technologies, their capabilities and their limitations has been lacking. A new review article now systematically categorises and evaluates the most common sustainable coating platforms, providing a structured comparison of their chemical composition, curing mechanisms and performance characteristics.
The technologies covered include water-borne, powder, high-solid, radiation-curable and bio-based hybrid systems. For each platform, the authors analyse the critical balance between environmental benefits and the durability and efficiency required for commercial success – a trade-off that continues to shape formulation strategies throughout the industry.
Event Tip:
The Sustainable Coatings Conference, which takes please November 3 and 4 in Amsterdam, Netherlands, will provide practical insights into low‑carbon technologies, circular economy approaches, bio‑based and water‑based systems, and robust assessment methods such as LCA and mass balance. Learn how the industry is responding to regulatory pressure, customer expectations, and material constraints – and how sustainability can become a measurable business advantage rather than a compliance burden.
Binder design and nano-fillers drive performance gains
The review highlights several key technical levers for improving sustainable coating performance. Binder design and particle dynamics are identified as central factors controlling coating strength and durability, while surfactant selection and interface control help minimise film defects and improve water resistance. The incorporation of nano-fillers is shown to enhance barrier properties by creating tortuous diffusion paths, thereby extending corrosion protection lifetimes.
Application examples from the marine, automotive, biomedical and food packaging sectors demonstrate that sustainable coatings can be engineered to meet or even exceed the performance standards of conventional systems when specifically formulated and optimised for their intended use.
Standardisation and cost remain key hurdles
Despite significant progress, the review identifies several persistent challenges. Raw material variability, infrastructure compatibility, economic barriers and achieving consistent performance parity with traditional solvent-borne coatings continue to limit broader adoption. The authors suggest that future research should focus on raw material standardisation, improved processability and cost competitiveness to promote the development of multifunctional, scalable and economically viable surface protection technologies.
Source: Kardar, P. & Amini, R., Advances and future directions in eco-friendly coatings: From chemistry to industrial applications. Progress in Organic Coatings 110068 (2026).
