Voc Free Gloss Paint Companies in the UK

The Facts about VOC free Paints

VOC (volatile organic compounds) free paints are not yet in common use. Traditionally the solvents which contain the VOCs are used to combine the pigment and binder into a durable and easily applied coating either by brush or spray.

Other types of paint to consider are:

• Drying Oils
• Lime Wash
• Silicate Mineral
• Distemper or Protein Glue Paint

Drying oil paints without the addition of solvents and uses the process of evaporation to air to achieve a stable dry skin of paint. The most common of these derived from plants is Linseed Oil which was used prior to the introduction of alkyd based paints. This is mixed with zinc oxide in lieu of Titanium Dioxide and pigment to make the paint.

However, although much ‘greener’ than alkyd based paints with less toxicity and lower embodied energy, Linseed Oil does produce VOCs so these products are not truly VOC free.

Lime Wash is perhaps the oldest type of mass manufactured paint. Composed of Slaked Lime (Calcium Hydroxide) mixed with low proportion of organic binders including Tallow and Linseed Oil. It dries through a process known as carbonation whereby calcite or calcium carbonate is produced by a reaction with Carbon Dioxide in the air. Colour ranges are limited.

Less well known are Silicate Mineral paints, these are formulated with potassium silicate, otherwise known as 'waterglass' as the binder, combined with inorganic, alkaline-resistant pigments. By soaking into the base material, the potassium silicate binder chemically reacts to form a microcrystalline silicate bond which is insoluble. Secondary crystallisations take place between the binder, the colour pigment and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

It can be used on a wider variety of mineral surfaces. However, silicate paint is particularly effective on render providing an alternative coating to limewash. Anecdotal evidence from Europe and Scandinavia suggests that silicate paint systems can last in excess of 100 years.

Silicate paint is generally a very low toxic paint with raw material, transport and energy having minimal environmental impacts.

Distemper Paint (protein glue paint)

There are two types of Distemper paint, otherwise known as, protein glue paint, 'soft' and 'oil bound'.

Soft distemper is the forerunner of modern emulsion. It is a water-based paint that is comprised of a white base pigment such as powdered chalk (calcium carbonate) bound with a glue size (gelatin). This basic mix can be tinted with alkali-resistant ('lime-fast') pigments to give a wide range of colours, including blues, greens and various earthy tones.

The environmental impact of Distemper Paints is limited to raw material extraction and the production of pigments. However, some modern distempers have replaced the animal glue binder with synthetic glues such as polyvinyl acetate. These paints should be regarded as modern vinyl emulsions.

Clay Paint is a popular variant of distemper, using clay rather than chalk, as its base material. Though clay paints claim 'natural' credentials, specifiers should be aware that contents can routinely include polyvinyl acetate (vinegar ester) and methyl cellulose (cellulose binder)

Casein Paint is another variant where the binder used is casein, a milk protein, in lieu of gelatin. Constituents of commercial casein paint are typically chalk, marble, talc, clay and casein. The paint comes in powder form and requires the addition of water. Health risks to the user are limited to skin or lung irritation if applied without protection.

Durability is an issue for users of distemper. The paint is easily rubbed off surfaces and its use should be restricted to areas of low traffic. Accordingly, Casein Paints should be avoided in kitchens and bathrooms.