Waterborne coatings are complex and dynamic multiphase systems, providing critical protection to substrates as well as improving their aesthetics, and are produced on a massive scale. More than 33,000,000 tons of architectural paint alone are produced each year globally. The environmental impact of these paints has been reduced consistently since the 1940’s when up to 700g of volatile organic compounds (VOC) could be released for each liter of paint applied. Far from the solvent borne paints of the past, many waterborne architectural paints of today are marketed as low or ultra-low VOC (often containing &lt;5g VOC/Liter of paint). The performance of these modern waterborne coatings has been facilitated by careful polymer design and raw material selection. With VOC reduction reaching the point of diminishing returns, a number of other potential sustainability targets have been identified. Life cycle assessment and other methods have identified a number of other desirable targets such as reduction of the level of “resource intense” raw materials, longer product service life, inclusion of renewable carbon, reduced weight, active improvement of air quality, biodegradability or circularity, and others. Methods to address selected target criteria as well as practical and sometimes non-obvious challenges to overcome for successful large scale implementation will be discussed.

Getting more from less: Evolution of high performance waterborne coatings and select challenges to their adoption

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.