The pursuit of a climate-neutral Europe and a truly circular economy requires attention to virtually all fields of production if fossil-based materials are to be eliminated. This relates not only to manufactured goods but also the paints and coatings used to protect them; of the almost 1 million tonnes of paints and coatings produced in Europe each year, more than 80% are derived from fossil resources. Reducing the impact of these coatings would represent a major advance in Europe’s climate ambitions. To address this challenge, the PERFECOAT project will develop and validate a new generation of industrial wood and decorative coatings with significantly more than 25% bio-based components. The project will address three important markets for coatings: high-volume, UVcurable clear coatings, waterborne trim paints for do-it-yourself (DIY), and waterborne wall paints. These coatings will reach, and even surpass, the current quality and sustainability standards.

Poster presentation at the Key Technologies in the Bioeconomy Conference, 27–29th September 2022 in Straubing, Germany.