Jessica Hoffmann – TRINSEO
Sustainability remains top of mind for those in the coatings business, especially as the European Union looks to implement new regulations around chemical usage. As a result, manufacturers are seeking ways to incorporate more environmentally friendly materials into their product portfolios.
Bio-based feedstocks have developed from niche and ‘nice to have’ to a requirement in many industries as they are critical to enhancing sustainability in coatings applications. However, many industry players may have limited feedstock availability based on location or lack the technology to process bio-based materials.
Additionally, the coatings industry is heavily regulated by standards that must be met to enter certain markets. This is where the challenges with bio-based materials begin.
Binders based on renewable resources can have different properties (as they a natural products), which can lead to difficulties in formulation or meeting specific standards. A simple difference as color, UV resistance or film thickness can exclude these systems from standard markets. Should the answer be lowing the standards?
This is where recycled feedstock can be a great solution as it can reduce the CO2 footprint up to 50% while maintaining performance and requirement.
Additional consumers can be easier accept a recycling approach than the Biomass balance approach, as mostly they are every day exposed to the processes. Trinseo as a leading supplier of MMA just opened a new de polymerization plant in Italy which will help to increase the available recycling feedstock in our Industry.
Integrating recycled content
While bio-based feedstocks are certainly important for manufacturing more sustainable coatings, recycled feedstocks play a crucial role in reducing CO2 emissions. This is because recycling can be done locally, minimizing transportation and logistics stress. In contrast, bio-based feedstocks often lack regional availability, making them more difficult to procure, which increases transportation costs and delivery timeframes, negatively impacting a company’s carbon footprint. Recent investments in chemical recycling have made recycled feedstocks more readily available in local markets. The quality of recycled material is now a key factor in integrating it into the supply chain. High-quality chemical recycling can achieve virgin material quality. Depolymerization breaks down plastic polymers into their constituent monomers, such as methyl methacrylate (MMA), and recycles them without any physical degradation. The recycled MMA monomer exhibits similar performance properties to virgin feedstocks and can be used to polymerize latex binders for coatings. Furthermore, depolymerization methods complement mechanical recycling materials, expanding recycling opportunities and helping reduce the demand for virgin materials in manufacturing.
Trinseo has inaugurated its polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) depolymerization facility in Rho, Italy, on June 25. This pilot facility marks a significant advancement in the company’s sustainability efforts. Depolymerization is a chemical recycling process that breaks down acrylic solutions into their constituent monomer, methyl methacrylate (MMA). This method allows for the recycling of PMMA sheets, which were previously non-recyclable through mechanical means. The process also removes additives and contaminants from pre- and post-consumer acrylic products, enabling more PMMA to be recycled.
Looking ahead
The coatings industry is increasingly focused on developing high-performance products. However, to achieve greater sustainability, manufacturers must combine various sources for their coating raw materials. Currently, innovative raw materials are still produced in low volumes, making it essential to integrate multiple approaches. One key strategy is to combine biomass balance with recycled feedstocks. This not only enhances the sustainability of coatings but also supports future developments in the industry. By leveraging both bio-based and recycled materials, manufacturers can create more environmentally friendly products while tracking their progress towards a circular economy.
While the coatings industry may have a relatively small impact on CO2 footprint production, it plays a major role in protecting and extending the usage of materials. Therefore, the industry should lead the way in fostering a sustainable environment. Investing in these sustainable practices now will pave the way for a more resilient and eco-friendly coatings industry in the future.
