Protecting your staff, your business and the environment.
Solvent-based materials have traditionally been the preferred chemistry basis for industrial paint products. Solvents, also known as volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), are included in the formulation of the paint to facilitate the application, flow out, drying and the formation of a durable paint film. However, the use of solvents in paint products has become a concern due to the negative health and environmental impacts that they can cause.
The key concern related to solvent-based products is that they release all of the VOC’s into the atmosphere as the paint film dries. This results in strong odours, toxic impacts on the environment and significant health and safety concerns for the paint applicator. Consequently, regulations regarding VOC’s have become stricter, compelling manufacturers to reduce VOC levels in coatings and to ensure that applicators take appropriate measures to limit the release of these compounds into the environment and to protect their staff from their harmful effects.
The trend has therefore been to reduce the solvent-levels in paints by moving to water-based products that contain significantly lower levels of VOC’s. Market leaders in water-based paints, Berger-Zobel, has been developing and producing water-based, low VOC coatings for the PVCu market for over 20 years. Their renowned ZP 2400 series products, use alternate water-based chemistry to achieve equivalent or superior performance to the solvent-based competitors without creating the negative HSE and environmental impacts that they cause.
Advantages of using water-based coatings for PVCu
- Significantly reduced VOC levels
- Significantly lower health and safety risk
- Substantially reduced environmental impact
- High solids, single coat 1K paint system
- Excellent durability of applied coating (AAMA qualified)
- No fire risk from handling and storage
- No fire or health risk from clean-up products
- Easier and safer clean-up (water used as cleaning ‘solvent’)
- Elimination of hazardous waste and related disposal costs
- Proven performance in industrial applications globally
When performing a health and safety risk assessment under COSHH guidelines, it is important to identify any risks associated with hazardous substances (ISBN:9780717664863). Choosing the right control measures associated with solvent-based coatings is key in minimising the related risks and impacts on your staff and the environment. According to COSHH, the highest priority control measure is –
“Eliminate the use of a harmful product or substance and use a safer one.”
The ProKolor ZP 2400 series coatings, specifically developed by Berger-Zobel for application on to PVCu construction products, offers a superior alternative to traditional solvent-based products. Selecting ZP 2400 for your PVCu paint requirements will fulfil your business commitment to COSHH regulations and improve the safety of the workplace for your staff.
ProKolor® is a specialty coatings company supplying market-leading, water-based coatings and related paint services and expertise to support PVCu window and door fabricators grow by offering their products in an unlimited choice of colours. We work directly with our customers to support them to adopt a true ‘colour on-demand’ operating model that will differentiate them from their competitors and add real value to their businesses; with top line growth, reduced inventory levels and improved profitability. www.ProKolor.co.uk
