Fewer solvents thanks to nanotechnology

When the paint manufacturing industry has to meet new environmental requirements, nanotechnology will play a major role. The paint company Jotun is now launching its new “nano-paint”, which incorporates technology developed by SINTEF. According to materials scientist Christian Simon, nanotechnology helps paints to be more environmentally friendly, to dry rapidly and to be tougher than ordinary paint. Now scientists are trying to identify the most appropriate nanoparticles for a wide spectrum of paint types, from alkyd paints to two-component epoxy paints. Jotun have applied for a patent on their technology, and the first products are due on the market in autumn 2009.