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(June 2008) posted on Wed Jun 25, 2008

The evolution to green paints is upon us.

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By Susan Conner

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In these times of recordsetting petroleum costs, three “saves” rank high on everybody’s list: saving time, money and the environment. The paint and coatings industry has complied with these priorities by delivering improved environmental compatibility while retaining good application properties, at reasonable, or lower, costs.

National clean-air standards mandated environmentally friendly priorities, and the paint industry and chemical companies, after initial resistance, have seen “green” benefits – environmentally and fiscally. The initiative begat innovative solutions that filter through many industries. Waterborne products, in particular, reduce volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions while maintaining good performance. When technologies hybridize, we benefit.

Steve Shaklee, |1521|’s (Norcross, GA) specialty-coating product manager, worked in the sign industry 19 years and knows his company’s polyurethane-based product, Grip-Gard Plus, helps sign companies lower the amount of paint required for their paint applications, which limits VOC emissions.

Shaklee said, “Our products benefit well-trained signshops in that they’ll use less material and expend less labor. These are high-solids, low-VOC coatings that don’t rely on the addition of exempt solvents to achieve 3.5 lbs.-per gallon VOC levels. This higher efficiency benefits both the signshop’s bottom line and the environment.”

Shaklee hinted the company is looking to introduce a waterborne coating that’s been used for automotive applications.

Mike Macre of |1561| (Chicago) said his company also focuses on products that reliably deliver what the sign industry needs, while meeting strict environmental standards. Spraylat’s Lacryl sign paints, used primarily on plastic sign faces, lower labor costs and boost sign longevity, compared to labor-intensive vinyl applications, according to the company website. Also, 1Shot lettering and bulletin enamels have long provided the gloss, applicability and durability needed for handpainted signs. All of the company’s products are lead-free.

Matthews Paint, a division of PPG Industries, places special emphasis on the signage industry. Donna Schaefer, Matthews’ marketing services specialist, said, “The company researches, develops and field tests products to bring our customers the most UV- and weather-resistant coating system available. Matthews’ coatings are environmentally safe and lead-free. Matthews manufactures VOC-compliant acrylic polyurethane coatings in gloss and satin, and meets EPA standards without sacrificing beauty or durability.”