In October 2009 the Federal Environmental Agency published a comprehensive report on "Nanotechnology for people and the environment – promoting opportunities and minimising risks". The paper aroused the attention of the public and also touched on the subject of paints and enamels.

Nanotechnology is already being used for special enamels and paints. This includes, for example, self-cleaning or anti-bacterial paints as well as special-effect and highly scratch-resistant enamels. In order to be able to eliminate risks and to take up its responsibility for health and the environment the Association of the German Enamels and Printing Inks Industry had the effects of nanotechnology in professional and DIY enamels examined in the spring of 2009 to complement the national projects on risk assessment.

In this study the release of nanoparticles from enamel surfaces was examined – both under everyday stresses as well as when sanding the surface with portable grinding devices. The result showed that the nanoparticles remain bound up in the enamel structure and are not in practice released. With regard to the risk to consumers and the environment the enamels which use nanotechnology do not differ from those enamels that do not use this technology. With these investigations the enamels industry has made an important contribution to the safe application of nanotechnology.

Nanotechnology at Caparol

The application of nanotechnology in Caparol building paint products has so far been restricted to a few special products. This includes nanohybrid facade paints. These paints contain no free nanoparticles, but instead obtain their special properties through nanostructured surfaces.

Also, for all other applications of nanotechnology in Caparol products neither the painter and decorator nor the consumer will come across free nanoparticles. The nanoparticles permanently bound up in these types of coatings facilitate special properties which ensure longer durability and provide improved protection for the coated surfaces. They supply a significant contribution to sustainability.

Nanotechnology enables special properties in enamels and paints to be realised and consequently provides an important contribution to sustainable application. If nanoparticles are present in the product, they are not released out of the liquid paint and after drying out remain permanently bound up in the coating film. There is therefore no indication of any possible hazard to people or the environment due to nanoparticles from paint and enamel surfaces.