Sustainability Initiatives in European Coatings
Sector Reach New Phase
The European
coatings trade
association (CEPE)
has been drawing
up criteria for
formulators
to check the
greeness of raw
materials.
by Sean Milmo
European Correspondent
milmocw@rodmanmedia.com
Sustainability initiatives in the European coatings sector have reached a new phase with a much stronger focus on issues like low carbon footprints of products
and waste reductions.
Previously the industry has been concentrating on drawing up sustainability strategies and the development of eco-friendly
products while at the same time complying
with new environmental regulations.
Now that the new greener products
under development are on the market, an
infrastructure is being created to provide
a supply chain for a permanent stream of
sustainable coatings.
The European coatings trade association (CEPE) has been drawing up criteria
for formulators to check the greenness of
raw materials.
This will help them comply, for example,
with new certification schemes for green construction projects in countries like Germany
and France.
Above all there is growing realization
among coatings producers that sustainability is
good not just for the environment but business
as well.
“They are much more aware that sustainability is a means of making your company
more profitable,” Tom Bowtell, chief executive
of the British Coatings Federation (BCF) said
