Low- and Zero- VOCs Technological Impact

The goal with new “green” technology is to meet the demand for low- and zero- VOCs products without diminishing the performance of the higher VOCs products that were in demand in the past. The trend toward being “green” by companies in the Paint and Coatings Industry is still an important aspect of business operations.

For paint and coatings manufacturing companies Gellner Industrial formulates and manufactures polymers and resins to meet new performance standards that replace harmful VOCs containing formulas. Gellner Industrial’s low- and zero VOCs polymers and resins are vital to our customer’s because in their manufacturing process they don’t have to add VOC’s. Our products have been low- to- zero VOCs or less than 20 grams per liter for the past 10 years. Only one product of Gellner Industrial’s prior to that time had higher VOCs.

Solvents or VOCs makes paint and coatings have freeze thaw stability. Low- and zero- VOCs emulsion resins must be kept from freezing. Solution polymers for the most part are freeze-thaw stable without any solvents. To protect our companies’ products from freezing the temperature must be kept above 40 F.

With the development of new technologies not only has pollution been positively affected, but specifically water pollution has been affected. When consumers wash out their brushes or clean up paint they end up washing it down the drain. With the low- and zero- VOCs paint there are fewer solvents that go down the drain. A manufacturer of solvents that have higher VOCs would in theory be reduced, because there is less demand for these types of products. If less of these products are being produced, then that means less empty containers with residual solvents that may be dumped into landfills or sewers. This includes the household paint can, which there are millions each year, as well as the industrial drums left over from the manufacturing of paint.

Companies in the Industry will continue to strive to create new technologies, meet the low- and zero- VOCs environmental regulations, and meet the demands of their customers. Companies facing these challenges do so through increased R&D, Innovation, and manufacturing “green” products with bio-based raw materials.