Performance impact and carbon reduction of mineral fillers by origin

 
The development of modern emulsion paints takes into account various factors such as functionality, economy, regulatory issues and sustainability, to name just a few. But how are the production and origin of raw materials related to the performance and their influence on the carbon footprint of emulsion paints? The author has examined the interchangeability of well over 50 natural mineral fillers based on chalk, limestone, marble and dolomite from a wide variety of sources. The experimental setup included test formulations and formulations of facade paints and interior wall paints with different pigment volume concentrations (PVC). The focus was on the mutual interchangeability of fillers of different particle size distributions, examined on the basis of optical and mechanical properties. This is particularly interesting, for example, in order to have substitute products from second suppliers in the portfolio when supply bottlenecks occur. It is well known that the production of fillers and their mineral composition have a significant influence on the carbon footprint and ultimately on the paints produced. The mining of natural minerals, their refining process and the energy used influence the manufacturing costs and CO2 emissions. Often neglected is the supply chain, which has a much greater impact on the balance of greenhouse gases and thus the sustainability of the paints produced. Based on a few case studies, the relationships between fillers with comparable performance, different origins and supply chains are analyzed. This provides a transparent, holistic insight into the emission sources of mineral fillers from mining to their use by producers of paints and coatings. Conclusions can be drawn for a sustainable supply chain, e.g. supporting the obligation of the German act on corporate due diligence in supply chains (LkSG), and to further reduce greenhouse gases and ultimately achieve the target of net zero.