Ahead of the industry, in the mid-1980’s Clariant stopped the production of lead-based pigments. (Photo: Clariant)

Clariant playing a leading role in supporting the coatings industry to phase out lead in paints

05 Nov 2020

• UN's eighth International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week highlighted action needed on lead paint globally
• Clariant partners with a key United Nations Environment Programme project to accelerate the phase-out of lead in paint
• Clariant one of the first companies to end the production of lead-based pigments in the 1980s

“Only 77 countries currently have legally binding controls on the manufacture, import and sale of lead paint, meaning that it is still permitted in a substantial number of countries, presenting a continuing and future source of lead exposure for children and workers. That’s why we believe the SAICM/Global Environment Facility project, ‘Global best practices on emerging chemical policy issues of concern under the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management’, is an important initiative that sustainable and forward-looking companies should support,” said John Dunne, Clariant’s Head of Business Unit Pigments.

“Clariant’s alternatives are both easy-to-disperse powder pigments and pre-dispersed, liquid color concentrates, which can be simply stirred into a clear varnish. The existing equipment in local paint companies is therefore enough to allow lead replacement, meaning that clever reformulation efforts can save on having to invest in any new production hardware. This enables local paint companies to expand the color gamut of their paint significantly without increasing costs. Enhanced sustainability can also lead to cost savings and performance improvements,” continued Dunne.