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Interview: “Formulators are not yet using many bio-based products”
Many formulators are still hesitant to use bio-based raw materials – despite their often impressive performance. In this interview, Markus Dimmers, Senior Vice President Technical Marketing at Alberdingk Boley, discusses key drivers in the development of sustainable polyurethane coatings and calls for clearer standards to increase market transparency.
What factors are driving raw material development for polyurethane coatings?
Markus Dimmers: We are developing more and more bio-based polyurethane dispersions with the focus on them performing as well as the petrochemical alternative. In many cases, however, the performance of such bio-based PUDs can even exceed those of existing products. For example, our new flexible, bio-based PUD is more elastic and wash-resistant than conventional ones.
To what extent can formulators increase the sustainability of these coatings and reduce their carbon footprint?
Dimmers: Formulators are not yet using many bio-based products. If significant market players would set more specific and ambitious targets, this could promote the use of such new products, helping to reduce the carbon footprint of coating formulations.
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What do you consider to be the main challenges in this field?
Dimmers: One of the challenges for wider acceptance in the market is certainly the absence of a clear regulatory/sustainability product framework such as a ‘Green Angel’ or a special Ecolabel. This would allow more comparative offers for consumers and lead to better visibility and transparency.
