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Bio-based coatings: “The greatest potential is in polymers for interior wall paints”
Bio-based raw materials: sustainability and performance in transition. In this interview, Eugénie Charrière, strategic marketing & business excellence director at Ecoat, explains why bio‑based binders are gaining traction in architectural and industrial coatings. Interview by Kirsten Wrede
Which classes of bio‑based raw materials have the greatest potential for high performance coating applications, and why?
Eugénie Charrière: The greatest potential is in polymers for interior wall paints. Indeed, most of high performance architectural coatings are formulated with water-based acrylic binders. Traditionally petro-sourced, these resins may require coalescing agents to form a proper film which adds VOCs, but consumers seek healthier and better indoor air quality through bio-based, low or zero VOC paints. We offer high performance alternatives, such as a bio-based alkyd binder, which contains 98% bio-based raw materials and does not require any coalescent. Used in easy-clean premium wall paints with great stain and scrub resistance, it can also be blended with acrylics to improve applicability and open time. Its negative carbon footprint enables up to 35% reduction of CO2 emissions compared to styrene acrylic-based paints.
What are the key technical tradeoffs encountered when increasing bio‑based content in coating binders, particularly with respect to durability and long‑term performance?
Charrière: After many years of research, we have developed specific compositions and process know-how, which enable the company to offer low VOC waterborne resins with bio-based content ranging from 47% to 98%, and strong decarbonization up to 113% on the binder. These high levels of bio-based content, far higher than most of the existing products which can be found on the market, do not come with technical tradeoffs. As highlighted in the Environmental Product Declaration, our water-based, bio-based alkyd emulsions and water-based polyurethane-modified alkyd dispersions offer similar durability and long-term performance as their petro-sourced water-based equivalents.
What, if any, performance gaps between bio‑based and conventional coatings still require the most research attention?
Charrière: A large portion of anti-corrosion coatings for DIY and general industrial applications is still solvent-based and formulated with high VOC conventional petro-sourced binders. But there is a growing need for direct-to-metal (DTM) low-VOC solutions with no loss of performance. We have developed new polyurethane modified dispersions, among which is a low-VOC and 47% bio-based resin specifically designed for waterborne DTM applications. It is so hydrophobic that it can be used in coatings achieving C3/C4 corrosion resistance, even without any anticorrosive pigment, which is remarkable. Formulations that do not contain anticorrosive pigments are obviously cheaper and do not require safety labels triggered by these pigments. The decarbonization of up to 40% of the coating is also a great advantage.
How do evolving regulatory requirements in North America and Europe influence technical priorities in the development of bio‑based coatings?
Charrière: In the past decade, demand for eco-friendly coatings has grown, driven by consumers and new regulations such as the EU Green Deal and mandatory non-financial reporting (CSRD). CSRD compliance highlighted that raw materials are by far the main source of CO2-emissions of paint producers, making the shift from petro- to bio-based a key lever for decarbonization. Life Cycle Assessment must confirm the carbon footprint reduction while labels (Ecolabel, BioPreferred…) and certifications (LEED) promote eco-design.
If priorities have recently changed in the EU and North America, consumer demand is still there and not fulfilled. On top of that, China is introducing CSRD-type of reporting in the country, reinforcing the global momentum toward low-carbon footprint coatings. So, the transition may be temporarily slowed down in western countries, but it is there and will increase.
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.
