As the concepts of eco-friendly living and green decoration become more widespread, consumers are becoming increasingly cautious in their selection of building materials. With coatings touting zero pollution and eco-friendliness filling the market, it’s crucial to discern which are genuinely effective and which merely catch the eye. The editorial department of UPGO analyzes some of the leading eco-friendly coating concepts on the market, helping you understand their differences and guiding you closer to a “zero pollution” wall world.
Unveiling Eco-Friendly Coating Technology
1. The Advantages and Disadvantages of VOC Content
VOC content is an important indicator of coating quality. It serves as a major source of pollution while also being directly related to the physical properties of the coating film. The coating market as a whole is moving towards zero VOC. VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compounds, including substances like formaldehyde, ammonia, ethylene glycol, and esters, which have low boiling points and can easily evaporate after decoration, posing health risks with long-term inhalation. The primary sources of VOCs in coatings are film-forming aids and antifreeze agents. Simply reducing VOC content without adding compensatory substances can lead to a decline in the physical properties of the coating.
2. Odor-Free Paint Does Not Mean No Pollution
Traditional coatings often use fragrances to mask the unpleasant odors brought by impurities, whereas odor-free technology aims to reduce the smell both in the can and after application, representing an eco-friendly technique. The concept of odor-free originated in Japan, originally referring to functional coatings that could purify airborne odors and toxicity. In the domestic market, it mostly refers to wall coatings with relatively minor odors. The realization of product odorlessness mainly follows two methods: addition, which involves adding substances to neutralize the impurity odors, and subtraction, which means directly reducing the impurity content.
3. Anti-Formaldehyde Coatings Surge in the Market
Changes in market demand have led to the continuous emergence of new types of coatings. Nowadays, not only do they have low VOC content, but some coatings can also help decompose indoor formaldehyde, purifying household air. The anti-formaldehyde technology primarily decomposes formaldehyde through redox reactions, with the “microporous purification technology” applied in coatings catalyzing the reaction, aiding in formaldehyde absorption and degradation. Past tests by the China Consumer Association on 15 brands of anti-formaldehyde coatings revealed significant variations in anti-formaldehyde capabilities across different brands, indicating a mixed quality among products with similar marketing claims.
4. Limited Adsorption Capacity of Bamboo Charcoal
Every gram of activated bamboo charcoal has a surface area of up to 1000 square meters. Merchants have incorporated bamboo charcoal elements into coatings, leveraging its porous structure to aid in air purification. Bamboo charcoal adsorption is a physical process; known as the “king of dehumidification,” its densely porous material and large surface area effectively regulate indoor humidity and help absorb harmful macromolecules. However, just like a sponge absorbing water, the bamboo charcoal element in coatings is finite, limiting its capacity to absorb large molecules over the long term.
