An Introduction to Coatings Sustainability

By Clifford K. Schoff

Sustainability is a way of doing business that supports and maintains the enterprise involved, yet also protects the environment and promotes health and safety. There are three interconnected aspects: economic, environmental, and social. In addition, the word “sustainability” means the ability to maintain, support, endure, and survive ­implying long term effects and preparing for the future. This fits in with the United Nations Brundtland Commission definition of sustainable development as “develop­ment that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”1• 2

SUSTAINABILITY AND COATINGS

What does sustainability mean for coatings and the coatings industry? Let us begin with the economic aspect, the idea of sustaining or maintaining the business of
a paint manufacturer or supplier. The com­pany must have or develop products that meet market needs and must be able to make a profit on the sales of these products. Economic sustainability literature stresses efficiency in every part of a business, from management to production, conservation of energy and raw materials, maintenance of equipment, and minimization of waste. The ultimate efficiency would be to optimize all of these processes and activities.

Optimization saves money, increases profits, and can pro­vide additional jobs. A logical conclusion is that putting effort into sustainability makes excellent sense for coatings-related busi­nesses. Also, we must not forget that coatings promote sustainability for other industries, through improved durability of coated prod­ucts such as automobiles, bridges, beverage cans, oil tanks, furniture, houses, commercial buildings, etc.

Coatings protect against mois­ture, corrosion, thermal and UV degradation, abrasion, chemical attack, and other threats, thereby extending the lives of the coated objects and they accomplish this with thin films at low cost.