Arkema hosts Thought Leaders panel on carbon footprint reduction across coating value chain at 2025 European Coatings Show
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Arkema, a leader in specialty materials, is bringing together AkzoNobel, Omya, Beckers, ADEO and PPG to discuss how, collectively across the coatings industry, Carbon Footprint Reduction can be accelerated. Those trends include driving the change towards more sustainable paints for homes, lower carbon footprint materials and processes for the built environment, new coating applications for safer electric vehicle batteries.
Jean-Laurent Dhaeyer, Industrial buyer for decorative market at ADEO.
Wijnand Bruinsma, Director of Sustainability at AkzoNobel.
Nadine Nicolai, Global Business Development Director Construction at Omya.
Thomas Lüder, Global Director of Sustainability Partnerships at Beckers.
Thierry Destruhaut, Sustainability Director Automotive at PPG.
Marc Schuller, Chief Operating Officer at Arkema
Julie Haevermans, Chief Marketing Officer at Arkema Coating Solutions
Helene Pernot, Director of Sustainable Offer at Arkema Coating Solutions
Together with key players in the coatings industry, we aim to reduce our carbon footprint
This initiative illustrates what we can achieve collectively and is designed to be inclusive, welcoming all stakeholders - customers, suppliers, and industry leaders - who want to contribute to this transformation. The more we collaborate, the greater our impact.”
In the current context of economic challenges affecting our markets, it is critical that the transition to more sustainable solutions is not only innovative but also economically viable for all stakeholders—industry leaders, professionals, and consumers alike.
We’ll focus on tangible, high-performance innovations already shaping the future of coatings.
- Market & consumer expectations: Decarbonization acceleration & Leroy Merlin Home Index
- More sustainable homes: 30% lower carbon footprint deco paints
- Decarbonizing the built environment: Roadmap to net zero - 70% energy savings
- Electric vehicle: Key role of coatings for decarbonization & battery safety
#1 - MARKET & CONSUMER EXPECTATIONS:
Why is it crucial to join forces right now to accelerate sustainable solutions?
Because environmental challenges are urgent, we need to act fast. At Arkema, sustainability is both a responsibility and a huge opportunity to innovate and drive real change.”
Three key reasons to accelerate now:
- First, CLIMATE! The EU’s 2050 carbon neutrality target—along with global commitments—is pushing the entire value chain to cut emissions. Regulations are tightening. Consumers are demanding action and companies are stepping up with ambitious climate pledges.
- Second, COATINGS MATTER. Industries have long focused on cutting operational emissions—insulation, electrification, energy efficiency. Now, the spotlight is on embodied carbon in materials and processes, and coatings play a crucial role in reducing it.
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Third, SOCIETAL EXPECTATIONS have never been higher. Customers, consumers and employees all want real, immediate action. No more waiting.
How are consumer expectations evolving and how is ADEO adapting?
Over the past few years, consumer expectations have shifted significantly. There’s a growing demand for transparency and sustainability, driven by climate change awareness.”
To address this, ADEO decided to launch its "Home Index" in 2022.
This indicator assesses the social and environmental impact of products throughout their life cycle. Products are then rated from A (the best score) to E (the lowest score).
The rating is calculated based on 8 categories such as raw materials, production, product recyclability, etc.
In addition to price and customer reviews, we offer “transparency” to our customers, enabling them to make informed and responsible choices. This approach drives us to continuously improve our products and thus reduce their carbon footprint.
ADEO is integrating sustainability into its products by implementing concrete initiatives.
With Luxens paints for instance, making long-lasting, healthier paints has always been a priority. For over 10 years, we’ve been offering low-VOC and water-based solutions, along with eco-labeled paints.
Since 2022, we’ve stepped up our efforts, launching a range of bio-based primers and paints with 98% bio-based resin to cut carbon emissions as much as possible.
In 2025, we’ll take the next step with our first bio-based exterior facade paint. But we know sustainability doesn’t stop at paints. We need to accelerate innovation in glues, sealants, and PU foams, where eco-friendly options are still limited.
Beyond formulas, we’re also working on recycled materials in packaging. However, the price positioning and availability of bio-based paint remains expensive. That’s why we’re shifting our strategy: instead of a dedicated “green” range, we now favor A WIDER REDUCED CARBON IMPACT, for the majority of our products, AIMING FOR A BROADER OFFER & IMPACT.
How do we get there? Collaboration
At ADEO, we believe that working closely across the value chain is the only way to drive real change. We need to shape the best solutions based on performance expectations, while pushing for new sustainable technologies.
As the European leader in DIY, we have a responsibility and a role to play!
What does Arkema identify as the industry’s key expectations ?
The industry’s expectations are clear—they come down to three key points:
- First, high performance. No compromise.
- Second, a lower carbon footprint. Sustainability must be built into every solution.
- Third, affordability. Solutions must be economically viable to drive a real market shift
This is why creativity and collaboration are essential. No single player can tackle this alone. We need the entire value chain—from suppliers to retailers, from industrial players to end users.
This is about real impact—showcasing how, together, we are driving change in construction and automotive, two industries responsible for over 60% of global CO2 emissions. With our partners, we’re bringing concrete, proven solutions that are already making a difference.
#2 - MORE SUSTAINABLE HOME:
How can Omya, AkzoNobel, and Arkema collaborate to amplify their decarbonization achievements through impactful research?
Sustainability requires simplifying complex concepts into tangible benefits for consumers. We've learned that while people care about environmental impact, cost remains a critical factor in their decisions. Our approach is to develop innovations collaboratively across the value chain that simultaneously advance sustainability goals and provide economic value.”
Green Buildings as construction accounts for 40% of global CO₂ emissions.
Our first use case “More sustainable homes” explores how innovation in paints and coatings along with collaboration across the value chain can reduce carbon emissions from homes, and make them more sustainable.
Fundamentally, the paint of tomorrow should have a low PCF (Product Carbon Footprint) and remain affordable to ensure mass adoption."
The whole topic is to make it more affordable. To meet these new needs, we need to involve the whole supply chain and develop new innovation practices.
The power of innovation needs a value chain approach to get to the next level
- One of the biggest differences we see today compared with past ways of working is the strengthening of the relationships between partners in our value chain.
- We have several types of initiatives such as working with start-ups or developing partnerships within the established network of suppliers & customers.
- We are engaged in many one-to-one type collaborations, but are increasingly looking to create ‘symbiotic communities’ in recognition that innovation requires a different set of capabilities.
The project with Arkema & Omya is a good example of this 3-way collaboration with 2 different suppliers.
The objective was to map the potential of carbon footprint reduction in a decorative wall paint by using existing materials.
This 3-party collaboration project was initiated six months ago between our technical & LCA experts, emphasizing the importance of having PCF calculation and performance in parallel.
We have been able to demonstrate that we can achieve a minimum of 30% product carbon footprint reduction while maintaining the same performance and cost affordability for full market adoption. Obviously, we will continue to work together to push this MORE!
The association of suppliers is essential because resins and mineral pigments are two key contributors to the PCF of a paint. It is natural to create a collaboration combining a paint formulator and two suppliers capable of acting on the main levers to decarbonize paints.”
Decarbonizing with CaCO₃, a natural low carbon footprint mineral with a PCF up to 100 times lower than TiO₂. The carbon footprint can be even lower if you switch to recycled calcium carbonate option.
For the mineral part, the main contributor to emissions but, at the same time, the key material delivering opacity is, as everyone knows, TiO2.
In this project, we have worked on the optimization of TiO₂ by using Ultrafine Calcium Carbonate and specialty CaCO₃ specific particle sizes and morphologies to optimize the dispersion of TiO₂ for enhanced light scattering efficiency.
In combination with low carbon resins,
We have worked synergistically with Arkema using commercial resins that present a lower carbon footprint thanks to the replacement of virgin fossil feedstocks with bio-based feedstocks, using either segregated or mass balance sourcing.
Formulation intelligence to accelerate go-to-market strategies
To make the reformulation work most effective and efficient and accelerate the mapping, we have used Flexhuttle, a fully automated and high throughput experimentation laboratory piloting AI. With an experimental plan, we have been able to screen 100 formulas in a short period of time and identify optimized formulations with a minimum of 30% reduction in PCF at equivalent performance.
Of course, with more time, we can reach even higher levels of decarbonization and recycled content, and we could also focus on other sustainability topics replacing potential harmful products ahead of regulation (dehazardization) or even include functionalities, like insulation properties, leading to energy savings in buildings.
What are the next steps to scale this transformation and drive low-carbon solutions?
Our ambition for the deco market is to operate a major shift as it was done 20 years ago with the transition from solvent borne to water borne. This time, the goal is to move to lower carbon footprint paints.”
To make this happen, we have started a journey with this tripartite collaboration. Today, we have reached a first milestone with a proof of concept.
Looking ahead the next steps are clear:
- Transform this proof of concept into commercially available paints.
- Continue to push further the boundaries of carbon footprint reduction by purposeful designing of new resins and minerals.
- Expand this open collaboration model to a broader network of partners.
#3 - DECARBONIZING THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT:
Why is decarbonization critical for the coil coating industry and what is driving this shift?
The major market for prepainted metal is construction, a major source of global carbon emissions both during operation and embedded in the materials. Several global green building schemes measure these.”
Coatings are not just about aesthetics—they protect and extend the life of structural materials like wood and metal, making them essential for sustainable construction.
The most significant change so far is the decarbonization of the steel industry with billions of euros invested in low-carbon steel manufacturing supported by the EU and national countries. As a result, carbon contribution of coatings will quickly increase to one-third of the pre-painted metal.
How can we effectively reduce the carbon footprint of coatings?
The full value chain carbon footprint breakdown identifies two areas: raw materials and the application at the customer. For the coatings manufacturer, both can only be addressed with our supply chain partners.
Transform today’s solutions (with examples of results) and prepare for a shift to lower carbon- intensive technologies
- Like with any coatings, we work on reducing raw material PCF with our suppliers and replacing fossil with renewable carbon materials. Examples included bio-based or recycled components in resins and solvents.
- The second hotspot is the emission of the application process, which is driven by high-temperature curing & incineration of solvents.
- There are ways of incremental improvement but we can also think outside the box and change more radically. Learning from wood and flooring coatings we have developed UV/EB coatings for pre-painted metal. This is a breakthrough as it makes heating during application unnecessary, reducing the energy requirement in this step by 70%. Additionally, the solvent, which usually makes up roughly one-third of the formulation, is completely removed.
Where does the industry stand today and what are the next key steps to scale it up?
The first production line was implemented in 2023 in close cooperation with the pilot customer and raw material suppliers. Product performance has proven to be on par with conventional coil coatings. Energy saving and PCF reduction are confirmed on a technical scale as well as the economic business case.
We target large-scale implementation around 2030. Together with our raw material partners, we are widening the portfolio of products. Most importantly, implementation requires significant investments from our customers, the coating applicators, to rebuild their factories.
There are still challenges to be tackled, but the value proposition is attractive: on par performance, competitive total cost already today, and significantly lower carbon footprint products. This is very appealing!
How is the coil coatings market transformation pioneering change across industries?
Pioneering transformation to inspire other industries.”
The transformation experienced by the coil value chain is interesting to share, especially for other coating industries. We see the clear benefits of shifting from heat to light curing, and this can be a real source of inspiration for other industrial coating applications.
One of the takeaways from this experience is that beyond collaboration inside a value chain, we also need cross-fertilization between value chains and markets to leverage success stories and accelerate the pace. As a material manufacturer, we are exposed to a large variety of markets and technologies. It is a key role we can play to support our partners in their decarbonization journey.
#4 - ELECTRIC VEHICLE:
What trends are driving this shift in E-Mobility and what is its impact on sustainability?
Electric vehicles are transforming the automotive industry, bringing new challenges and opportunities for coatings, which can play a crucial role in enhancing battery safety, efficiency and durability.”
The automotive industry is undergoing a remarkable transformation, shifting from traditional internal combustion engines to sustainable and eco-friendly solutions.
EV sales continued to grow globally in 2024, reaching 55% of new car registration in Europe. The market value in Europe is expected to reach 2,8 trillion euros by 2032.
The move to Electric Vehicles is integral to global initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change. Even when integrating the production of the EV battery, the total life cycle CO2 emissions of a BEV is 50% lower than these of an ICE.
This shift is reshaping the automotive landscape, fueled by advancements in battery technology. More autonomy, faster charging, more power… all these improvements cannot happen without coatings protecting the batteries.
How do coatings enhance battery performance, safety, durability, and protection?
We need coatings, adhesives, and sealants to ensure the longevity, operational performance and safety of the batteries.
Coatings are required to electrically insulate all metal parts of the battery. These are dielectric coatings: thin coatings that provide dielectric protection of several kV.
We need thermal management coatings to evacuate the heat, as the optimal battery operation temperature window is between 15°C and 35°C. In the case of fast charging or high power demand (e.g., driving in the mountains or pulling a trailer), the battery will heat up significantly.
If something goes wrong, such as an accident or the failure of the thermal or dielectric protection, we might face the risk of a thermal runaway event, reaching 1000°C in a matter of seconds.
Battery fire protection coatings are engineered to contain the fire for several minutes, allowing passengers to safely exit the vehicle.
All these coating functionalities can only be achieved with new coating technologies and new chemistries that we are developing with our partners like Arkema.
How is PPG developing more sustainable coatings to reduce battery production's carbon footprint?
The production of one battery for a BEV represents approximately 5 to 10 tons of CO2 emissions. These emissions come mainly from the mining of materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel.
Coatings alone do not play a significant part here. However, coatings have a role to play in enabling a faster, leaner, more productive, and lower carbon-intensive battery manufacturing process.
Coatings enable better conformality and versatility compared to parts such as tape, thermal blankets, or mica sheets.
Working on faster-cure, lower energy application, and lower waste spray application systems is also key to optimizing battery manufacturing.
Moving forward, coatings can also play a role in supporting better circularity by enabling faster disassembly at the end of the battery's life.
New coatings technologies will be required to continue supporting the development of the EV market. It is key for PPG to work together with our material supplier partners to raise the performance and sustainability of our coatings.
New coatings technologies will be required to keep supporting the development of the EV market. It is key for PPG to work together with our material suppliers partners to raise the performance and sustainability of our coatings.