Does plastic-free paint equal ecological paint? 

Ecological paint means that the product impacts the least on the environment. To be able to use the term ecological in the context of paints, the paint producer must have thoroughly figured out the product throughout the life cycle. A third-party ecolabel gives an unambiguous and reliable picture of the environmental characteristics of the product.

There are currently paints on the market that are advertised as ‘plastic-free’. In the context of paints, ‘plastic’ most often refers to synthetic acrylate binders. Unfortunately, this ‘plastic-free’ claim alone doesn’t guarantee that the paint is either an ecological or sustainable choice. Nor does it guarantee that none of the raw materials contain synthetic ingredients. Currently, the categorization of paints as ‘plastic-free’ is not regulated by the industry or third-parties  and the term may be used misleadingly as a marketing slogan. Due to the unclarity of the term, Teknos does not categorize any paints as “plastic-free” even if they would use only bio-based binders.

Synthetic ingredients in a paint can be in fact the least environmentally burdensome ingredient if they substantially improve the quality and durability of the paint. The Nordic Swan Ecolabelled paints do not only cover environmental issues but also quality requirements since the environment and quality often go hand in hand. This means that a Nordic Swan Ecolabel license can also be seen as a mark of quality. Rather than looking at one characteristic, such as “plastic-free”, paints sustainability should be assessed based on their whole life cycle – from raw materials to disposal.

When looking for sustainable coatings, it is important to remember that paints’ main purpose is to protect and prolong the painted surfaces, materials, and structures. As different substrates need different features, choosing the right paint for each material is one of the most important factors when looking for durable and environmentally sustainable paint.